IC-NRLF 


tMMANUEIr 


IMMANUEL: 

A    LIFE    OF    JESUS    THE  CHRIST. 

[FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE.] 


—BY- 
REV.     S.     R.     WOOD. 


FERNDAI/E,     HUMBOI.DT     COUNTY,     CAI,. 

MATTHEWS     &    WOOLDRIDGE,     PUBLISHERS. 

1894. 


.'JRYl  3-  «'R,',MT.QO,D  . 


To  the  young  men  and  the  young  women  of 
our  land,  this  little  volume  is  affectionately  dedi- 
cated, with  the  hope  that  to  some  one  of  these  it 
may  bring  a  new  conception  of  the  Saviour. 


915589 


AUTHOR'S     NOTE. 


The  purpose  the  writer  had  in  view  in  preparing  this  work  was 
to  put  certain  events  in  the  life  of  Jesus  in  such  a  form  as  to  lead 
young  people  to  read  them.  If  all  our  young  people  were  Bible 
readers  such  an  effort  as  this  would  be  entirely  unnecessary.  The 
writer's  earnest  prayer  is  that  those  who  read  these  pages  may  be 
induced  to  read  and  study  carefully  the  pages  of  the  Word  contain- 
ing a  record  of  the  events  here  referred  to.  It  is  also  his  prayer  that 
each  one  who  reads  this  little  work  will  see  Jesus  in  a  new  light  and 
find  in  Him  the  dearest  and  best  Friend,  for,  of  a  truth,  He  is 
iMMANUEiv:  "God  with  us."  With  this  prayer  was  the  work 
undertaken. 

S.  R.  W. 
Ferndale,  California. 


IMMANUEL. 


CHAPTER    1. 


the  shade  of  a  spreading  willow  in  a 
very  beautiful  spot  on  the  bank  of  the  River 
Jordan,  sat  two  young  men.  They  were  Hebrews, 
.Bar-elah  and  Eliab,  by  name.  Evidently  the  con- 
versation in  which  they  were  engaged  was  an  ex- 
ceedingly interesting  one. 

The  Jordan  at  this  point  presented  a  very 
beautiful  appearance.  The  banks  were  thickly 
covered  with  trees.  Great  spreading  willows  were 
to  be  seen  in  abundance — occasionally  there  was 
an  oleander  in  full  bloom  and  now  and  then  a 
tamarisk.  Birds  flitted  about  among  the  branches 
over  head.  The  waters  of  the  River  were  clear 


c  I M  M  A  NUEL. 

and  cool  and  several  times  had  the  two  young  men 
thought  of  plunging,  for  a  refreshing  bath,  into 
the  deep  hole  near  at  hand. 

The  two  young  men  before  us  were  both  of 
devout  Jewish  families.  Their  home  was  in  the 
little  village  situated  about  an  hour's  journey  from 
the  spot  where  we  find  the  two  resting.  In  this 
village  Bar-elah  had  been  raised  from  infancy  and 
to  this  village  Eliab  had  come  some  two  years  be- 
fore. Eliab  was  the  older  of  the  two;  rather  small 
of  statue  but  well  proportioned,  and  the  twenty- 
two  summers  that  had  passed  since  he  had  first 
seen  the  light,  had  given  him  a  darker  complexion 
than  his  friend  had.  Eliab  loved  Bar-elah  as  he 
loved  no  other.  The  very  sight  of  his  friend  filled 
him  with  delight  and  among  the  most  blessed 
hours  of  his  life  were  those  when  he  communed 
alone  with  him. 

Bar-elah   was    a    sturdy  youth    of  eighteen, 

much  taller  than  his  companion  and  finely  formed 

—a    magnificent   specimen,  physically,    of  God's 

handiwork;  a  handsome  body,  a   handsomer    face. 

Eliab  was  a  devout  Hebrew  youth,  attending 
regularly  at  all  the  Synagogue  services — and  in- 
terested in  all  religious  matters.  Bar-elah  was 


IM MANUEL.  5 

the  opposite — indifferent,  negligent,  almost  never 
entering  a  synagogue  unless  in  Compaq  with 
Eliab. 

The  former  had  been  away  from  his  home  on  a 
rather  adventurous  journey  for  his  father,  and  had 
only  just  returned  on  the  morning  of  the  day  when 
we  find  him  with  Eliab  on  the  river  bank.  The 
latter  had  sought  the  very  first  opportunity  to  be 
alone  with  his  friend  and  had  induced  him  to  walk 
over  to  the  river  that  they  might  be  alone  and 
commune  together. 

"My  dear  Bar-elah,"  spoke  Eliab,  'Tin  so 
glad  you're  home  with  us  again,  I  have  much  to 
speak  to  you  of.  There  have  been  some  wonder- 
ful occurrences  since  you  left  us.  One  John  the 
Baptist,  thought  by  some  to  be  the  Christ,  went 
all  through  this  country  about  Jordan  preaching 
that  men  should  repent  of  their  sins,  (for,'  said  he, 
'the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  is  at  hand,'  and  great 
throngs  of  people  went  out  to  hear  him  and  many 
of  them  he  baptized  in  the  Jordan.  Why  Elah'' 
for  this  was  Eliab's  favorite  name  for  his  friend, 
"I  heard  one  day  of  this  wonderful  man  and  thought 
I  to  would  go  and  see  and  hear  him — and  so  I 
went  expecting  to  see  some  one  resembling  some 


IM  MANUEL. 

of  our  teachers,  but  lo  !  a  man  of  uncouth  appear- 
ance, with  a  raiment  of  coarse  camel's  hair  and  a 
girdle  of  skin  about  his  loins.  Some  said  he  re- 
sembled greatly  our  prophet  of  old — Elijah.  But 
his  preaching  was  powerful.  And  I  saw  Publicans 
and  Pharisees  and  Sadducees  and  numbers  of 
others  baptized  of  him  in  Jordan,  confessing  their 
sins.  He  told  us  though  of  one  who  was  to  come 
after  him,  who  was  mightier  than  he,  who  would 
baptize  men  with  the  Holy  Ghost." 

"And  I  am  told  that  one  day  when  he  was 
thus  preaching  and  baptizing,  there  came  one  who 
is  called  Jesus,  to  him,  to  be  baptized  of  him.  And 
shortly  after,  John  saw  this  one  called  Jesus,  who 
hails  from  Nazareth,  and  pointing  to  him  he  said: 
'Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  which  taketh  away  the 
sin  of  the  world.' ' 

During  all  of  Eliab's  conversation  he  had  had 
Bar-elah's  undivided  attention  for  all  this  was 
ne\vs  to  him.  He  had  had  110  opportunity  to  hear 
what  was  going  on  in  his  own  land  during  his  trip 
for  his  father. 

"Where  is  this  one  called  Jesus,  now,  Eliab? 
I'd  like  to  see  him.  I  wonder  if  he  is  not  the  one 
of  whom  I  heard  as  I  came  along  the  Jordan  on  my 


1MMANVEL.  g 

way  home.  We  stopped  a  few  moments  to  quench 
our  thirst  and  found  a  curious  old  man  on  the 
bank  of  the  river  who  was  trying  to  explain  some- 
thing to  a  boy  with  him.  All  I  heard  was  some- 
thing about  a  place  in  the  river,  towards  which 
the  old  man  pointed,  and  I  heard  him  say,  'there 
is  where  he  was  baptized.  I  was  among  the  num- 
ber who  saw  it  all.  And  oh !  such  a  beautiful, 
divine  countenance.' ' 

"It  must  have  been  he,  Elah,"  answered  Eliab. 
"And  do  you  know  that  we  happened  to  be  talk- 
ing about  these  events  at  home  this  morning,  just 
before  you  came — and  I  heard  my  good  mother 
tell  of  some  events  that  occurred  when  she  and 
father  were  first  betrothed.  She  said  that  she  re- 
membered very  well  hearing  her  people  tell  of  a 
singular  star  that  made  its  appearance  one  night 
and  abode  over  the  little  town  of  Bethlehem.  At 
the  same  time  three  strange  looking  magi  came 
from  the  East  and  went  first  to  Jerusalem  and  en- 
quired at  the  city  gates  as  to  where  they  could 
find  'he  that  is  born  King  of  the  Jews,  for'  said  they 
'we  have  seen  his  star  in  the  east,  and  are  come 
to  worship  him.'  And  upon  hearing  of  this  strange 
inquiry  Herod  gathered  the  Chief  Priests  and 


g  I  MM  A  NU E  L. 

Scribes  together  and  found  from  them  that  the 
Christ  should  be  born  in  Bethlehem  of  Judaea  and 
he  sent  the  magi  to  Bethlehem  and  as  they  were 
leaving  the  holy  city  the  wonderful  star  made  its 
appearance  again  to  them  and  went  before  them 
until  it  stood  over  the  place  where  the  young  child, 
whom  they  sought,  was." 

"Yes  Eliab,  I  have  heard  my  good  mother 
tell  of  the  same  strange  occurrences.  And  I  re- 
member hearing  her  tell  that  before  this  visit  of 
the  magi,  the  birth  of  this  child  was  announced  by 
an  angel  to  some  lowly  shepherds  on  the  plains  of 
Bethlehem,"  answered  Bar-elah. 

"And  do  they  think,"  continued  Bar-elah, 
who  had  become  by  this  time,  thoroughly  inter- 
ested— uthat  this  one  is  the  Messiah  so  long  looked 
for  by  Israel?" 

"Yes,  many  already  believe  him  to  be  the  one 
who  shall  deliver  Israel,  Elah,"  answered  Eliab. 

The  conversation  between  the  two  young  men 
continued  in  this  line  for  some  time.  At  length 
the  two  started  for  their  homes,  Eliab  the  mean- 
while rehearsing  to  his  friend  all  that  he  had 
heard  about  this  wonderful  person,  whom  it  was 
claimed  was  the  Christ. 


1MMANLEL.  IO 

As  they  neared  the  village  their  thoughts 
turned  to  the  approaching  celebration  of  the  Pass- 
over. 

uHow  soon  do  you  expect  to  leave  to  attend 
the  Passover,  Eliab?"  asked  Bar-elah. 

"Probably  in  the  course  of  three  or  four  days, 
Elah — and  say,  Elah — you  go  when  I  do,  will 
you?" 

"All  right  Eliab  I  will,"  readily  responded  the 
other.  uDo  not  our  families  plan  to  go  together, 
anyway?" 

"Yes,  I  believe  they  do,  and  say,  Elah,  I  was 
just  thinking,  perhaps  we  will  be  able  to  see  this 
one  who  is  called  Jesus — for  if  he  is  a  faithful 
Israelite  he  must  needs  attend  the  great  Feast," 
suggested  Eliab. 

"That's  so  Eliab  and  I'd  like  to  see  him,  too." 

The  days  that  intervened  between  the  above 
conversation  between  the  two  boys  and  the  day 
on  which  their  people  had  decided  to  set  out  for 
Jerusalem,  were  busy  ones — days  of  preparation 
in  which  everything  must  be  made  ready  for  the 
journey  and  for  the  feast. 

On  the  evening  of  the  day  before  the  start 
was  to  be  made — Bar-elah  went  over  to, spend  a 


TI  IM  MANUEL. 

quiet  hour  with  Eliab.  They  repaired  to  the 
house-top  where  all  was  quiet  and  where  they 
might  talk  without  disturbance. 

When  they  were  settled  comfortably,  Bar-elah 
spoke: 

UO  Eliab,  my  brother  Eleazar  just  returned 
to-night  from  Cana  of  Galilee  and  he  tells  us  that 
there  is  great  excitement  up  there  -about  this 
Jesus  of  Nazareth.  He  says  that  not  long  ago 
there  was  a  marriage  feast  up  there  and  Jesus 
with  some  of  his  followers — his  disciples — were  at 
the  feast,  and  during  the  festivities  it  was  found 
that  the  supply  of  wine  had  been  exhausted  and 
this  Jesus  made  wine  out  of  water. 

"Eleazar  says,  that  they  told  him,  and  one  of 
our  cousins  was  a  guest  at  the  feast — this  cousin 
I  believe  told  Eleazar — that  this  Jesus  saw  six 
large  waterpots  of  stone,  and  he  directed  the  ser- 
vants to  fill  these  to  the  brim  with  water — just 
common  water,  and  then  directed  them  to  draw 
out  the  water  and  lo  !  it  was  wine  !  At  first  some 
thought  it  was  done  through  fraud  but  that 
couldn't  be  for  the  servants  themselves  testify 
that  they  knew  not  what  was  to  happen  and  noth- 
ing was  put  into  the  water — and  as  far  as  I  can 


7  MM  A  A  URL.  I2 

learn  Jesus  did  not  as  much  as  put  his  finger  upon 
the  waterpots.  Surely  this  is  the  most  astonish- 
ing miracle  that  I've  heard  of  in  my  day." 

"Truly  that  was  marvelous.       My  dear  Elah, 
we  must  see  this  one  if  we  can,"  was  Eliab's  answer. 


CHAPTER    II. 


<ARL,Y  on  the  morrow,  among  the  companies 
that  set  out  from  the  little  village  where  Bar- 
elah  and  Eliab  lived,  was  one  company  containing 
the  two  families  to  which  these  boys — or  young 
men,  belonged.  There  were  just  twelve  in  the 
part}'. 

It  was  a  most  beautiful  spring  morning.  The 
roadside  was  lined  with  bright  flowers,  the  fields 
on  either  side  were  fresh  and  green  and  were 
flecked  with  gaily  colored  flowers. 

It  was  not  long  before  large  numbers  of  trav- 
elers were  to  be  seen  along  the  road — all  of  them 
bound  for  Jerusalem  to  attend  the  great  feast. 

Although  the  women  and  children  were  not 
obliged  to  go  up  to  the  feast  at  this  time,  yet  the 
entire  families  to  which  our  two  young  men  be- 
longed, had  turned  out — Bar-elah's  father  and 
mother,  three  brothers,  sister  and  himself,  and 


/  .If  .If  A  A  0  EL. 

EHab's  widowed  mother,  two  brothers,  sister 
himself.  And  it  was  a  merry  company  too.  It 
was  a  season  for  great  rejoicing  on  the  part  of  all 
devout  Jews  because  of  the  mighty  deliverance 
commemorated  by  the  feast,  and  although  some  of 
the  young  people  of  the  company  did  not  feel  as 
truly  thankful  as  perhaps  they  ought  to  have,  yet 
they  seemed  to  catch  some  of  the  spirit  of  thank- 
fulness manifested  by  their  elders — and  altogether 
it  was  an  exceedingly  happy  company. 

The  seven  young  men  of  the  company  were 
afoot  while  the  other  five  of  the  party  rode  on 
asses.  Occasionally  a  pause  would  be  made  be- 
neath some  spreading  sycamore,  or  at  a  spring. 

At  mid-day  a  short  rest  was  taken  in  a  ver}<T 
beautiful  spot  by  the  road-side,  beneath  a  giant 
oak.  There  was  some  need  of  haste  in  order  to 
reach  the  Holy  City  before  the  close  of  the  day, 
for  Bar-elah's  people  had  as  yet  no  place  selected 
in  which  to  prepare  the  Passover.  EHab's  people 
were  to  go  to  the  home  of  his  uncle. 

Toward  evening  the  gate  of  the  City  was 
reached.  Already  large  numbers  of  people  had 
arrived  and  the  roads  approaching  the  City  were 
thronged  and  crow'ds  \vere  about  the  gates. 


jc  1M  MANUEL. 

"Elah,"  spoke  up  Eliab,  as  the  company 
passed  through  the  gate  into  the  City — "mother 
thinks  that  our  uncle  can  accommodate  our 
whole  company  at  his  place — at  least  if  you  and  I 
are  willing  to  sleep  upon  the  house-top  together, 
and  I  guess  we  can  agree  to  that  can't  we?" 

"Most  certainly  we  can  Eliab.  Three  years 
ago  the  company  we  were  with  was  late  in  ar- 
riving and  had  to  pitch  a  couple  of  tents  in  order 
to  find  a  place  to  stay,  but  this  year  we  are  early. 
And  say  Eliab,  how  do  you  plan  to  use  the  days 
between  now  and  the  feast?  But  then  we  can 
talk  that  over  later.  My  what  crowds  there  are 
already !  It  seems  to  me  I  never  saw  so  many 
people  before.  I  wonder  if  he  who  is  called  Jesus 
is  here  yet." 

Upon  arrival  at  the  house  of  Japhlet — for  this 
was  the  name  of  Eliab's  uncle — room  was  found 
for  the  entire  company,  provided  Eliab  and  Bar- 
elah  took  to  the  house-top,  which  proviso  they 
readily  agreed  to. 

That  night  after  retiring  Bar-elah  renewed 
his  question  of  the  evening :  "How  do  you  plan 
to  use  the  next  few  days,  Eliab  ?" 

"Well     Elah,    I've    been   thinking    that    we 


1  M  M  A  i\  URL.  T£ 

might  look  about  the  City — visit  the  market-place, 
the  bazaars,  and  the  like,  and  the  temple — and 
then  too,  it  will  be  interesting  to  watch  the  crowds 
and  who  knows  but  what  we  may  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  see  this  Jesus. of  Nazareth.  Then  too, 
we  will  probably  find  many  of  the  young  men  of 
our  town  and  others  whom  we  know* and  a  whole 
party  of  us  can  go  over  to  Gethsamane  and  to  the 
Mount  of  Olives." 

The  days  before  the  Passover  passed  just  as 
Elisb  had  suggested.  Old  acquaintances  were 
found,  not  only  among  those  who  dwelt  in  Jer- 
usalem but  among  those  who  came  from  the  other 
parts  of  the  land  of  the  Jews.  Many  a  quiet  hour 
did  our  two  young  men  spend  together  in  Geth- 
samane, where  beneath  a  giant  olive  they  talked 
over  events  that  had  transpired  during  the  time 
they  had  been  separated.  Frequent  references 
were  made  to  the  Christ  for  there  was  a  desire  on 
the  part  of  each  boy  to  see  Him.  On  the  part  of 
Bar-elah,  it  was  probably  nothing  more  than  mere 
curiosity,  but  on  the  part  of  Eliab,  there  was  a  feel- 
ing that  possibly  after  all  this  one  might  be  the  one 
that  some  claimed  Him  to  be,  the  long-promised, 
the  long-looked  for,  the  long-prayed  for  Messias. 


jy  I  MM  A  NUE  L, 

One  morning  just  before  the  opening  of  the 
feast,  Eliab  awoke  first  and  while  waiting  for  Bar— 
elah  to  awake  he  thought  of  various  plans  for  the 
day,  but  the  one  that  seemed  to  impress  him  most 
favorably,  included  a  visit  to  the  temple.  As 
soon  as  Bar-elah  awoke  Eliab  made  known  his 
plans  and  they  were  readily  agreed  to. 

A  few  hours  later  found  the  two  young  men 
standing  side  by  side  within  the  sacred  enclosure. 
There  were  many  other  visitors  for  by  this  time 
the  City  was  crowded  with  people  from  the  other 
parts  of  the  land.  Most  of  the  people  seemed  to 
be  about  the  court  in  which  those  were  to  be 
found,  who  dealt  in  sheep  and  oxen  and  doves  for 
the  temple  sacrifices.  These  dealers  were  kept 
busy  disposing  of  their  stock  to  those  who  desired 
the  animals  for  sacrifice.  Numerous  changers  of 
money  were  found  in  this  court,  these  too  did  a 
brisk  business  changing  the  various  coins  brought 
in  by  the  people  from  outside  of  Jerusalem,  into 
the  half-shekel  of  the  sanctuary.  All  was  bustle 
and  confusion.  Men  jostled  against  one  another 
as  they  passed  from  stall  to  stall.  The  bleating 
of  the  sheep  and  the  lowing  of  the  cattle  and  the 
rattle  of  the  money  was  accompanied  by  the  shout- 


I  MM  A  A  V  EL.  jg 

ing  of  dealers — and  all  this  within  the  enclosure 
which  had  been  solemnly  dedicated  to  Jehovah. 

Our  two  young  men  stood  silently  together 
taking  in  the  scene  when  suddenly  there  was  great 
confusion  among  the  dealers  and  their  cattle — 
and  there  was  a  general  scattering.  Upon  their 
looking  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  all  this,  the  boys 
saw  one — Himself  a  young  man,  having  a  scourge 
of  cords  or  rushes  in  His  hand — and  as  they  looked 
they  saw  Him  drive  the  sellers  of  the  oxen  and 
sheep  out  of  the  temple  and  then  turning  to  the 
money  changers  He  caused  their  money  to  be 
poured  out  and  then  He  overthrew  their  tables. 
Then  to  those  that  sold  doves  He  said,  with 
authority  :  "Take  these  things  hence  ;  make  not 
my  Father's  house  an  house  of  merchandise." 

Some  of  the  Jews  who  saw  what  had  been 
done,  at  once  demanded  of  him  the  authority  by 
which  He  had  thus  purged  the  temple.  His  answer 
to  their  question  was  : 

"Destroy  this  temple  and  in  three  days  I 
will  raise  it  up." 

His  answer  astonished  the  Jews  for  said  they: 
"Forty  and  six  years  was  this  temple  in  building 
and  wilt  thou  rear  it  up  in  three  days  ?" 


JQ  IM  MANUEL. 

Bar-elah  and  Eliab  were  interested  spectators 
of  all  these  occurrences — but  the  querry  with 
each  was  as  to  whom  this  one  could  be — this  one 
who  had  assumed  suddenly  so  much  authority, 
certainly  He  was  not  of  the  Priests.  The  face 
attracted  them,  for  while  they  could  see  the  evi- 
dences there  of  the  anger  that  was  felt  because  of 
the  gross  sacrilege  that  had  so  long  been  permit- 
ted, still  the  boys  saw  a  face  of  singular,  divine 
beauty.  As  He  passed  from  the  court  followed  by 
a  little  company  who  seemed  to  be  His  followers 
— Bar-elah  ventured  to  ask  one  of  the  number  as 
to  whom  this  young  man  might  be. 

"Jesus  of  Nazareth,"  was  all  the  response  Bar- 
elah  received,  but  it  was  enough.  Eliab  heard  it 
as  plainly  as  did  his  companion.  It  had  a  strange 
effect  on  both  young  men.  The  very  words 
seemed  to  thrill  Eliab.  Never  before  had  Bar- 
elah,  apparently  so  indifferent  to  religious  truth, 
looked  so  serious.  All  the  boys  could  do  was  to 
stand  and  look  at  this  one  concerning  whom  they 
had  heard  but  whom  neither  had  ever  seen  before. 
And  as  they  looked  the  face  of  the  Christ  seemed 
to  grow  more  radiant  and  divine,  until,  finally 
Eliab  drew  his  friend  to  him  and  said  softly  : 


/  M  M  A  A  U  E  L.  20 

"Truly,  Elah,  this  is  He." 
*###>*• 

The  Passover  was  observed  in  the  usual 
manner  by  the  families  to  which  Eliab  and  Bar- 
elah  belonged.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  i4th  of 
the  month,  Eliab's  uncle,  Japhlet,  representing  the 
company  gathered  at  his  home  to  observe  the 
Passover,  took  the  paschal  lamb  into  the  court  of 
the  temple  where  it  was  killed  and  dressed.  The 
blood  was  given  to  the  Priests  who  sprinkled  it  on 
the  altar,  and  the  fat  was  burned  upon  the  altar. 
During  all  of  this  the  Levites  sang  the  hymn  of 
praise  prescribed  for  this  ceremony. 

When  Japhlet  reached  his  home  the  lamb  was 
at  once  made  ready  for  roasting,  and  after  the 
1 5th  day  had  commenced,  that  is,  when  it  had 
become  dark,  the  little  company  consisting  of 
Eliab's  uncle,  aunt  and  five  cousins,  with  the 
families  to  which  Eliab  and  Bar-elah  belonged — 
nineteen  souls  in,  all — this  company  gathered 
about  the  Passover-table  and  partook  of  the  Pass- 
over-lamb, the  bitter  herbs,  the  unleavened  bread 
and  whatever  else  was  provided. 

Bar-elah  listened  more  attentively   than  ever 


2I  IM  MANUEL. 

before  to  the  declaration  of  the  meaning  of  the 
feast,  as  made  by  Japhlet  during  the  progress  of 
the  Passover-meal..  This  declaration  impressed 
Eliab  more  forcibly  than  ever.  Was  it  because 
their  eyes  had  just  shortly  before  rested  upon  One 
whom  some  believed  to  be  the  Messias  ? 


CHAPTER    HI. 


the  days  for  the  observance  of  the 
feast  were  fulfilled,  the  little  company  con- 
taining Bar-elah  and  Eliab  returned  to  the  little 
village  from  whence  it  had  come. 

The  months  that  followed  were  spent  quietly 
by  our  two  young  men,  in  their  village  homes — 
Eliab  prosecuting  his  studies  and  Bar-elah  assist- 
ing his  father  in  the  work  connected  with  the 
little  parcel  of  ground  upon  which  they  lived,  and 
upon  the  produce  of  which  they  depended  for 
their  livelihood. 

Nearly  a  year  passed  in  this  way.  Nothing 
much  was  ever  heard  about  Jesus.  The  village 
was  not  visited  much  by  outsiders  and  little  was 
heard  regarding  events  at  any  distance. 

Many  an  hour  were  the  two  friends  to  be 
found  together  talking  earnestly  about  the  few 
wonderful  works  of  Jesus  of  which  they  had  heard. 


2n  IM  MANUEL*. 

One  evening  they  were  sitting  together  upon  the 
house-top  watching  the  setting  sun  and  chatting 
together  when  news  was  brought  to  Bar-elah's 
father  which  made  it  necessary  for  Bar-elah  to 
start  next  morning  for  the  city  of  Samaria. 

"Say  Eliab,"  said  Bar-elah  when  his  father 
had  returned  to  the  rooms  beiow,  "you  go  home 
and  tell  your  mother  that  you're  going  with  me 
to-morrow  and  then  come  stay  with  me  and  we'll 
get  a  good  early  start — start  at  the  rising  of  the 
sun — will  you  my  boy  ?" 

"Oh.  my  dear  Elah,  I  would  so   much   like  to 

go  with  you,  but — "  and  Eliab  thought  a  moment, 

—"all  right  Elah,  I'll  go,"  and  with   that   he    was 

off.     In  a  few  moments  he  returned  with  the   few 

things  he  needed  for  his  journey.    * 

With  the  rising  of  the  sun  the  two  young 
men  were  on  their  way — each  mounted  upon  an  ass. 

The  journey  was  a  pleasant  one,  but  the  boys 
felt  glad,  when  after  having  been  hindered  some- 
what on  their  journey — they  arrived  on  the  third 
day  within  sight  of  the  city  of  Samaria.  Neither 
boy  had  ever  visited  the  city  before.  Bar-elah's 
father  had  never  before,  to  his  son's  knowledge, 
had  any  dealings  in  the  land  of  the  despised 


1M  MANUEL.  24 

Samaritans.  Every  thing  at  first  looked  strange 
to  them.  Once  in  a  great  while  a  Jew  would  .be 
seen  but  never  as  much  as  talking  with  a 
Samaritan. 

As  Bar-elah  and  Eliab  neared  the  city  they 
found  by  the  road-side,  a  young  man,  to  all  ap- 
pearances, a  Samaritan,  who  was  evidently  in 
trouble.  His  beast  of  burden  had  become  fractious 
or  frightened  and  had  spilt  the  pack  from  off  its 
back  and  the  young  man  was  having  a  hard  time 
trying  to  fix  things.  As  the  boys  drew  nearer 
the}-  saw  that  he  was  struggling  with  a  load  that 
was  really  too  much  for  him. 

"Let's  help  him  Elah,  even  if  he  is  a  despised 
Samaritan,"  suggested  Eli^b,  for  his  heart  had 
been  touched  after  witnessing  the  fruitless  efforts 
of  the  young  man  to  right  matters,  and  he  really 
felt  sorry  for  him. 

Our  two  young  men  proffered  their  help 
which  was  gladly  accepted  and  "the  young  man 
was  profuse  with  his  thanks. 

"I  perceive  that  you  are  both  Jews,"  said  he 
as  he  eyed  them  from  head  to  foot.  uOneofyour 
people  has  created  a  great  stir  in  some  parts  of  our 
land.  The  whole  city  of  Sychar  is  aroused  be- 
cause of  his  doings." 


2c  IM MANUEL. 

"Who  is  he  and  where  does  he  hail  from  and 
what  does  he  do  that's  wonderful — if  you'll  pardon 
so  many  questions,"  asked  Eliab. 

"Jesus  of  Nazareth,"  was  the  only  response 
from  the  young  Samaritan. 

Bar-elah  and  Eliab  looked  at  one  another  in 
astonishment.  Was  it  possible  that  this  One 
whom  they  had  seen  so  zealous  for  the  sacred 
temple  of  the  Jews  was  now  among  the  hated 
Samaritans  ? 

And  was  it  possible  that  they  might  again 
get  a  glimpse  of  that  wonderfully  attractive  face  ? 

The  boys  seemed  to  read  one  another's 
thoughts  for  they  spoke  not  a  word. 

"We  saw  this  One  in  Jerusalem  at  the   great 
feast,"  spoke  up  Eliab,  after  a  moment   or   two— 
"but  had  no  hopes  of  finding  Him  here  in  Samaria." 

"Oh  he  was  merely  passing  through  our  land 
on  his  way  to  Galilee,"  explained  the  young 
Samaritan. 

"But  what  great  work  has  He  been  doing  here 
in  your  land?"  asked  Bar-elah,  and  Eliab  noticed 
a  real  evidence  of  interest  on  the  part  of  his  friend. 

"Well,"  began  the  young  Samaritan,  "it  seems 
he  had  been  working  or  teaching  down  in  Judsea 


JMMAAbEL.  26 

after  he  had  attended  the  Passover  of  the  Jews  at 
Jerusalem,  and  then  decided  to  go  into  Galilee, 
but  instead  of  crossing  the  Jordan  and  going 
through  Perea  as  so  many  of  the  Jews  do,  in  order 
to  avoid  us,  he,  with  some  of  his  disciples,  came 
right  through  our  land  to  the  city  of  Sychar. 
That  is  the  place  you  know,  near  which  Jacob's 
well  is  situated.  He  forthwith  sent  his  disciples 
into  the  city  to  buy  meat — and  being  weary  and 
thirst}'-  from  his  journey  he  sat  on  the  well  to  rest. 
While  he  sat  thus  a  woman  came  to  draw  water 
from  the  well — and  he  being  thirsty  asked  her  to 
give  him  to  drink  of  the  water  she  drew.  His  re- 
quest astonished  her  and  she  could  not  refrain 
from  giving  expression  to  her  astonishment — to 
think  that  he,  a  Jew,  would  ask  drink  of  one  who 
was  a  woman  of  Samaria,  seeing  the  Jews  had  no 
dealings  with  the  Samaritans.  But  her  astonish- 
ment seemed  the  greater  when  he  told  her  that  he 
could  give  her  to  drink  of  living  water  and  after 
drinking  of  it  she  would  never  thirst  again.— 
Said  he :  'Whosoever  drinketh  of  this  water' — 
meaning  that  which  the  woman  had  drawn — 
'shall  thirst  again ;  but  whosoever  drinketh  of  the 
water  that  I  shall  give  him  shall  never  thirst ; 


2j  I M  M  A  NU E  L. 

but  the  water  that  I  shall  give  him  shall  be  in  him 
a  well  of  water  springing  up  into  everlasting  life.' 
These  are  the  words  the  woman  repeated  after- 
wards. Rather  a  queer  statement  is  it  not? 

"But  more  than  that — this  man — and  I  after- 
wards learned  that  he  is  called  Jesus  of  Nazareth 
— this  one,  as  the  woman  afterwards  testified  to 
tht  men  of  the  city,  told  her  all  things  that  ever 
she  did.  She  was  one  who  had  done  wickedly 
and  he  told  her  all  about  it.  More  than  that,  he 
declared  himself  to  be  the  Messias. 

"After  this  she  went  into  the  city  and  told  the 
men  all  about  the  wonderful  things  that  this  one 
who  claims  to  be  the  Messias,  told  her.  The  re- 
sult was  that  large  numbers  went  out  of  the  city  to 
where  he  was — and  many  of  them  believed  on  him. 
So  many,  in  fact,  that  the  Samaritans  besought 
him  to  tarry  with  them  a  season  and  he  did  so- 
remaining  for  two  days.  During  that  time  many 
more  of  the  city  believed  after  hearing  him  speak. 
Some  of  them  declaring  him  to  be  the  Christ,  the 
Saviour  of  the  world." 

"And  is  he  still  in  Samaria  ?"  asked  Bar-elah 
who  with  EliaB,  had  given  undivided  attention  to 
all  the  young  Samaritan  had  told  them. 


1  MM  A  Air  EL.  2g 

"No,"  was  the  young  man's  reply.  "After 
two  days  he  went  into  Galilee.  Of  course  I  do 
not  know  as  much  about  his  doings  there  as  I  do 
of  those  nearer  my  home — for  I  too  belong  to 
Sychar.  But  my  brother  is  among  those  who 
believe  Jesus  to  be  the  Christ  and  he  of  course 
feels  interested  enough  to  keep  posted  on  all  that 
this  one  does  and  only  yesterday  he  had  from  one 
who  had  come  from  Capernaum  a  full  report  of  the 
wonderful  things  done  there. 

"This  Jesus  it.  seems  has  been  teaching  in 
their  synagogues  in  Galilee  and  a  fame  of  him 
went  through  all  the  country  round  about.  It 
seems  that  one  day  he  went  to  Cana  in  Galilee, 
where  it  is  said,  he  had  more  than  a  year  before, 
miraculously  made  wine  out  of  water.  A  certain 
ruler  or  nobleman  living  in  Capernaum  and  whose 
son  was  at  the  point  of  death,  heard  that  Jesus 
was  in  Cana  and  went  over  to  him  and  begged 
him  to  go  down  to  Capernaum  and  heal  his  son — 
but  instead  of  going,  this  Jesus  simply  said  to  him  : 
'Go  thy  way;  thy  son  liveth.'  And  the  ruler  be- 
lieved what  he  said  and  started  for  home.  On  the 
way  he  met  his  servants  who  were  on  their  way  to 
Cana  to  tell  him  that  his  son  was  better  and  upon 


29  I M  MA  NUEL. 

inquiry  it  was  found  that  at  the  very  hour  in  which 
this  Jesus  had  said  'thy  son  liveth,'  the  fever  left 
him." 

"Then,"  continued  the  young  Samaritan,  "he 
went  to  Nazareth,  the  city  where  he  had  been 
brought  up  and  on  the  Sabbath  day  went  into 
their  Synagogue  and  opening  the  book  of  the 
prophet  Esaias  he  read  a  prophesy  concerning  the 
Messias  and  expounded  the  Scriptures  to  the  peo- 
ple and  declared  that  that  day  that  Scripture 
which  he  had  read  was  fulfilled  in  their  hearing. 
And  the  people  wondered  because  of  the  gracious 
words  that  he  spake  but  after  a  time  they  became 
so  filled  with  wrath  that  they  thrust  him  out  of 
the  city  and  took  him  to  the  brow  of  the  hill,  in- 
tending to  cast  him  over,  but  he  just  quietly 
walked  out  from  among  them  and  went  his  way, 
and  went  down  to  Capernaum." 

The  relating  of  these  occurrences  excited 
both  Bar-elah  and  Eliab  with  a  greater  desire 
than  ever  they  had  had  before  to  see  the  Christ 
and  to  see  some  of  His  wonderful  works.  They 
had  neither  of  them  moved  even  so  much  as  a 
finger  while  their  newly  made  acquaintance  had 
been  rehearsing  the  doings  of  Jesus.  Within  the 


1  M  M  A  NU E  L.  30 

heart  of  Eliab  there  seemed  to  be  a  feeling  that 
this  one  must,  indeed,  be  the  Messias.  Bar-elah 
felt  interested  to  a  certain  extent. 

"Well  where  is  He  now?"    asked  Eliab. 

"In  Capernaum,"   answered  the   Samaritan— 
uBut  I  must  hasten  on  my  journey,''  he  continued 
and  again  he  expressed  his  thanks  to  the  boys  for 
their  help. 

"I  feel  that  we  ought  to  thank  you,"  was 
Eliab's  response,  "for  we  have  heard  a  great  deal 
from  you  that  interests  us  Jews."  And  the  two 
went  on  their  way  into  the  city  while  the  Samari- 
tan went  his  way  along  the  country  road. 

"A  fine  face  Elah,"  said  Eliab  referring  to 
the  young  man. 

"Kind  of  nice  fellows,  if  they  are  Jews,"  said 
the  young  Samaritan  to  himself  as  he  looked  back 
at  them — "and  fine  specimens  of  young  man- 
hood too." 


CHAPTER     IV. 


^JEDAR-ELAH  attended  to  his  father's  business 
6  immediately  upon  arriving  in  the  city  of 
Samaria  and  as  no  hospitality  was  shown  the  Jews 
by  the  Samaritans,  the  boys  concluded  that  their 
stay  in  the  city  would  not  be  very  pleasant  hence 
they  decided  to  leave  at  once  and  to  sleep  by  the 
road-side  on  the  way  home,  rather  than  stay  in 
the  city,  and  so  at  about  the  ninth  hour  they 
passed  through  the  gates  on  their  homeward 
journey.  The  nights  were  quite  pleasant  and  not 
at  all  uncomfortable.  During  the  interval  be- 
tween the  interview  with  the  young  man  of 
Samaria,  and  the  hour  for  returning,  both  the 
boys  seemed  to  be  deeply  engaged  with  their 
thoughts.  Neither  of  them  said  very  much. 
Eliab  noticed  that  Bar-elah  seemed  especially 
serious. 

It  was  a  beautiful  night.     The    moon    shone 


JMMAAbEL.  ~2 

forth  in  all  her  glory.  It  was  very  light.  After 
they  had  rolled  themselves  tip  in  their  cloaks  for 
the  night,  Bar-elah,  who  lay  close  to  Eli^b's  side, 
said  : 

"Eliab,  don't  you  know  I'd  like  to  see  more 
of  this  Jesus  of  Nazareth.  I'd  like  to  see  him 
perform  some  of  the  miracles  that  are  spoken  of." 

"Yes,  my  dear  Elah,"   replied   Eliab,   raising 

himself  partly  and  looking  into  the  face  he  loved 

-"and  I'd  like  to  hear  some  of  the  gracious  words 

that  He  speaks  and  feast  my  eyes  on  that    divine 

countenance." 

"Well  I've  done  some  thinking  since  our  talk 
with  that  young  Samaritan  and  I've  a  plan  to 
suggest  to  you  Eliab.  It  may  be  worth  your 
thoughts  for  a  while  if  worth  nothing  more.  I 
was  thinking  that  we  might  just  as  well  go  back 
to  Capernaum  for  a  while  after  we  get  home  and 
spend  a  little  time  there — perhaps  as  long  as  Jesus 
remains  there — and  thus  have  an  opportunity  to 
see  more  of  him.  You  know  I  have  an  uncle 
there  and  I  know  they'll  make  room  for  us  and  be 
glad  to  have  us  visit  with  them  a  while.  What 
think  you  ?  Will  you  join  me  in  this,  Eliab  ?" 

Eliab  did  not  respond  for  a  moment. 


.,  IM  MANUEL. 

"Oh  Eliab  that's  just  what  I  have  been  wish- 
ing for  many  weeks,  that  we  might  do.  Yes,  of 
course  I'll  join  you  my  friend.  Capernaum,  you 
know,  was  our  home  for  some  six  or  seven  years 
and  I  have  friends  to  whom  we  can  go  if  need  be." 

"That's  so — well  we  will  go  if  you  agree." 

"I  agree,"  responded  Eliab  heartily. 

When  the  two  young  men  reached  their 
homes  they  at  once  made  their  plans  known  to 
their  parents.  At  first  Bar-elah's  mother  objected 
seriously  to  his  going. 

"Why,"  said  she,  "who  knows  what  false 
prophet  this  one  may  be  or  whether  or  not  he  is 
possessed  of  a  devil."  But  after  being  reminded 
of  the  fact  that  her  son  Bar-elah  was  by  no  means 
interested  in  religious  matters  and  that  it  was 
probably  nothing  but  mere  idle  curiosity  that 
prompted  him  to  plan  this  trip  and  the  fur- 
ther fact  that  his  companion  Eliab  was  a  thor- 
oughly devout  Hebrew — one  who  was  in  some  re- 
spects one  of  the  most  promising  ones  of  the  faith 
— she  felt  that  it  probably  would  not  hurt  the 
boys  to  go. 

"For,"  said  she,  "if  there's  anything  bad 
about  it  Eliab  will  find  it  out  and  shield  Bar-elah 


1MMANUEL.  o, 

from  its  influences — and  if  there's    anything  good 
about  it — I  want  them  both  to  embrace  it." 

The  two  young  men  made  hasty  preparations 
for  their  journey  and  the  next  day  saw  them  on 
their  way — and  they  went  right  through  Samaria 
too,  not  desiring  to  lose  time  by  going  by  way  of 
Perea — and  too,  they  rather  hoped  that  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Sychar  they  might  see  again  the 
young  Samaritan  whom  they  had  befriended  and 
from  whom  they  had  learned  so  many  things  re- 
garding the  Christ — but  when  Sychar  was  reached 
the  young  man  was  not  to  be  seen. 

They  travelled  more  than  an  ordinary  day's 
journey  each  day;  "For,"  as  Eliab  had  said,  uwe 
must  reach  Capernaun  before  the  Sabbath  and  we 
must  need  make  great  haste."  A  few  hours  be- 
fore the  commencement  of  the  Sabbath,  Bar-elah 
knocked  at  the  door  of  his  uncle's  house  in  Caper- 
naum. The  two  young  men  were  bidden  enter 
and  both  were  accorded  a  very  hearty  welcome. 

When  the  Sabbath  had  come,  in   the    cool    of 
the  evening,  the  two  boys,  as  was  their  custom  at 
home   when    together,  went  up  to   the  house-top, 
there  to  commune. 

"It  occurred  to  me  this   evening   Elah,"  said 


*c  IM  MANUEL. 

Eliab,  "that  He  who  is  called  the  Christ  will  surely 
worship  at  the  Synagogue  and  that  large  numbers 
who  have  been  negligent  about  attending  will  be 
there  and  we  had  better  go  early  in  order  to  get 
in  for  we  must  see  the  Christ  as  soon  as  we  can." 

Some  little  time  before  the  appointed  hour 
for  service  the  people  began  to  gather  at  the 
Synagogue,  Bar-el  ah  and  Eliab  among  them.  It 
was  evident  that  when  the  time  for  the  service  to 
commence  would  arrive,  the  place  would  be  well 
filled.  Shortly  before  the  services  the  young  men 
noticed  a  movement  on  the  part  of  the  whole  con- 
gregation and  looking  in  the  direction  in  which 
every  eye  was  turned — the  eyes  of  our  young  men 
rested  upon  the  person  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth.  And 
oh!  such  a  radiance  as  was  to  be  seen  in  that 
face!  It  seemed  lighted  with^the  glory  of  heaven. 
The  boys  did  not  take  their  eyes  off  of  Him  for  an 
instant  and  Bar-elah  found  Eliab  grasping  his 
hand  with  a  death-like  grip. 

But  all  stir  was  hushed  in  an  instant  when 
the  solemn  service  began.  Suddenly  every  eye 
was  again  turned  toward  the  Christ  as  He  slowly 
arose  from  His  seat  and  assumed  a  position  of 
authority.  Every  eye  was  fixed  on  Him  ;  every- 


f 

1  M MA  A  L  EL. 


36 

thing  was  as  still  as  death ;  every  ear  was  opened 
eager  to  hear  the  first  word  this  wonderful  man 
should  speak.  And  when  He  spoke  those  who 
heard  were  astonished  at  His  teaching,  for  He  did 
not  teach  as  did  the  Scribes,  but  as  one  who  had 
authority.  But  suddenly  there  was  an  interruption 
and  one  was  heard  to  cry  out : 

"Let  us  alone ;  what  have  we  to  do  with  thee, 
thou  Jesus  of  Nazareth  ?  art  thou  come  to  destroy 
us  ?  I  know  thee  who  thou  art,  the  Holy  One 
of  God." 

Eveiy  eye  was  fixed  upon  the  one  who  thus 
cried  out  and  it  was  seen  that  he  was  one  posses- 
sed with  a  spirit  of  an  unclean  devil.  Then 
every  eye  was  turned  to  Him  of  whom  even  the 
unclean  spirit  had  testified  that  He  was  the  Holy 
One  of  God.  But  He  only  quietly  rebuked  him, 
saying  :  "Hold  thy  peace,  and  come  out  of  him." 
Then  was  witnessed  a  struggle  as  the  unclean 
spirit  tore  the  man  and  wrestled  with  him — but 
the  devil  obeyed  the  command  and  came  out  of 
the  man  and  left  him  sound  and  well. 

Amazement  filled  the  people.  *  With  astonish- 
ment one  was  heard  to  say :  "What  thing  is 
this?"  Another  asked,  "What  new  doctrine  is 


~-  IM  MANUEL. 

this?  for,"  said  they,  "with  authority  com- 
ma ndeth  he  even  the  unclean  spirits,  and  they  do 
obey  him." 

Our  two  young  men  were  as  much  astonished 
as  were  any.  Never  had  the}'  heard  of  such 
things ;  never  had  they  seen  anything  like  this. 

"Truly,  Elah,''  said  Eliab  slipping  his  arm 
about  Bar-elah  as  they  went  forth  from  the  Syna- 
gogue, "this  must  be  the  Christ,  the  Messias. 
And  surely  if  He  can  cleanse  a  man  of  an  evil 
spirit  He  can  cleanse  him  of  the  evil  that's  within 
his  heart." 

Bar-elah  was  thoughtful  and  heard  all  his 
friend  said,  but  he  said  nothing — the  only  evi- 
dence that  he  gave  that  he  had  heard  his  com- 
panion was  the  pressure  he  gave  his  hand. 

As  the  people  went  forth  from  the  Synagogue 
at  the  close  of  the  services  they  carried  the  news 
of  Christ's  power  everywhere  until  his  fame 
spread  throughout  all  Galilee.  After  He  had 
gone  out  of  the  Synagogue  He  went  to  the  home 
of  one  Simon,  whose  wife's  mother  was  sick  with 
a  great  fever.  Jesus  simply  rebuked  the  fever 
and  she  who  had  been  sick  was  immediately  cured 
and  arose  from  her  couch  and  ministered  unto 


1M  MANUEL.  33 

Jesus  and  His  disciples  who  were  with  Him.  The 
news  of  this  miraculous  cure  at  once  spread  every- 
where about  the  city.  Bar-elah  and  Eliab  both 
heard  of  it.  Towards  the  close  of  the  Sabbath 
Bar-elah's  uncle  came  to  where  the  boys  were  sit- 
ing in  the  garden  and  said  to  them  : 

"It  would,  perhaps,  be  well  for  you  to  go,  at 
the  setting  of  the  sun  down  to  Simon's  house,  for 
1  hear  that  every  one  in  the  cit/y  who  has  a  sick 
one  is  going  to  take  that  one  down  there  to  Jesus 
of  Nazareth  to  he  healed.  Aged  Mattaniah,  who 
lives  in  the  next  house,  infirm  as  he  is,  is  planning 
to  take  his  sick  and  crippled  grandson — a  fine 
young  man,  but  oh,  such  a  sufferer — he  plans  to 
have  him  carried  down  to  this  Jesus." 

The  uncle  had  no  idea  how  welcome  this 
news  was  to  the  boys.  They  at  once  said  they 
would  go  that  way  and  they  immediately  started. 
As  they  walked  along  they  saw  those  who  were 
diseased  and  even  some  who  were  possessed  of 
devils,  going  or  being  taken  towards  the  house  of 
Simon.  There  were  mothers  carrying  sickly 
babes  in  their  arms.  There  were  parents  leading 
children  having  divers  diseases.  Young  men  who 
had  lost  all  the  brightness  and  life  and  bloom  of 


OQ  IM  MANUEL. 

youth — old  men  who  were  racked  with  disease- 
some  of  them  walking  with  the  help  of  staffs— 
some  being  led  by  friends,  some  being  carried  on 
beds — but  all  going  in  the  one  direction. 

Our  two  young  men  had  not  gone  far  before 

they  overtook  aged  Mattaniah  as  he  trudged  along 

i 

beside  the  bed  upon  which  lay  the  suffering  young 
grandson.  Bar-elah  caught  just  one  glimpse  of 
the  face  and  heard  only  one  expression  from  the 
little  party  and  that  came  as  a  moan  from  the 
sufferer.  The  face,  though  not  beautiful,  as  the 
world  uses  the  term,  was  to  Bar-elah  one  of 
unusual  attractiveness-  The  words  that  Bar-elah 
heard  from  the  lips  of  the  sufferer  were  these: 
"Oh,  if  he  only  can !"  They  touched  Bar-elah, 
for  he  realized  they  meant  a  great  deal. 

The  two  boys  hurried  along.  As  they  came 
in  view  of  the  house  they  could  see  that  already 
a  large  crowd  had  gathered  in  front  of  the  door. 

"The  whole  city  must  be  gathered  there," 
said  Bar-elah. 

"It  looks  like  it,"  replied  Eliab.  And  it  was 
the  truth  for  ere  long  the  whole  city  was  gathered 
at  the  door.  It  was  an  anxious  throng — anxious 
for  the  coming  forth  of  the  One  who  had  already 


IMMAMjEL.  40 

proven  Himself  to  be  the  great  physician. 

The  door  opened  and  He  came  forth  and  oh, 
what  compassion,  what  love,  what  mercy  beamed 
in  His  very  countenance!  There  was  a  stir  in, 
the  throng  as  they  all  tried  to  get  to  Him  with 
their  loved  ones  who  were  diseased  or  possessed. 
The  Christ  simply  laid  His  hands  on  the  sick  and 
they  were  healed.  Mothers  whose  babes  had 
been  sick  went  away  with  hearts  aglow  with 
thanksgiving  as  they  looked  into  the  faces  of  the 
little  ones  who  were  now  well  and  strong — simply 
through  the  touch  of  the  Christ.  Old  men  left 
their  staffs  behind,  and  walked  off  as  briskly  as  in 
their  yonth.  The  diseased  and  tortured  were  re- 
stored to  perfect  health. 

Our  two  young  men  looked  on  with  amaze- 
ment. Such  strange  and  unheard  of  sights  !  They 
watched  closely  so  as  to  see  when  aged  Mattaniah 
went  up  to  the  Christ  with  his  grandson. 

"There  he  goes,"  whispered  Eliab  to  Bar-elah. 
"See,  they  have  reached  the  Christ." 

For  a  moment  He  stood  over  the  bed  whereon 
the  young  man  lay — then  stretching  forth  His 
hand  He  touched  him.  The  young  man  arose 
and  stood  before  them  all,  perfectly  restored. 


4i  IM  MANUEL. 

Wonder  of  wonders  !  No  more  longings  for  health, 
no  more  torture  of  pain.  Oh  !  wonderful  touch  ! 
Oh  blessed  hand !  Oh  glorious  Christ ! 

Then  too,  some  who  were  possessed  with 
devils  were  there,  and  by  speaking  the  word,  the 
Christ  caused  the  evil  spirits  to  come  forth  and  as 
they  did  so  they  cried  out  with  a  loud  voice  : 

"Thou  art  Christ  the  Son  of  God." 

When  Eliab  heard  this  testimony  his  heart 
was  thrilled  for  he  felt  a  response  there,  for  surely, 
thought  he,  this  must  be  the  Christ  of  God. 

After  the  healing  and  when  Christ  had 
quietly  retired  from  the  presence  of  the  multitude 
that  thronged  about  the  door — Bar-elah  and 
Bliab  started  for  the  house  of  the  uncle,  and  as 
they  walked  along  they  overtook  aged  Mattaniah 
who  was  now  leaning  upon  the  strong  arm  of  his 
grandson  Eliphaz.  Oh  !  how  different  was  it  but 
a  short  time  before  when  this  same  young  man 
was  tortured  with  pain  and  disease  and  was  being 
carried  by  others  through  this  same  street!  Bar- 
elah  remembered  the  longing  expressed  by  Eli- 
phaz when  he  passed  him  on  his  way  to  the  Christ. 

The  face  that  had  appeared  attractive  to  Bar- 
elah  when  first  he  saw  it,  was  doubly  so  now,  for 


1MMANUEL.  ,2 

the  flush  and  life  and  beauty  of  youth  had  re- 
turned. 

When  the  two  young  men  had  gone  to  their 
bed-chamber  they  sat  together  for  some  time  talk- 
ing about  the  events  of  the  Sabbath  and  of  the 
evening. 

"My  dear  Elah,"  said  Elifb,  drawing  closer  to 
his  friend,  "I  believe  this  Jesus  is,  indeed,  the 
Messias.  And  it  seems  to  me  that  One  who  can 
cleanse  men  of  physical  defilement  can  also  cleanse 
men  from  all  defilement  because  of  sin.  How  pure 
and  holy  and.Godlike  He  looks.  I  want  to  belike 
Him",  Elah.  I  can't  help  but  think  of  the  wonder- 
ful change  in  the  aged  neighbor's  grandson.  Yes, 
this  Jesus  must  be  the  Messias  for  whom  we  have 
looked  so  long." 

Bar-elah  made  no  response  except  to  clasp 
his  companion's  hand  in  his  own.  Eliab  knew 
that  Bar-elah  was  thinking  deeply. 

As  Eliab  fell  asleep  he  thought  he  heard 
again  these  words: 

"Thou  art  Christ,  the  Son  of  God." 


CHAPTER     V. 


O  the  great  disappointment  of  Bar-elah  and 
Eliab  the  stay  of  Jesus  and  His  disciples  in 
Capernaum  was  necessarily  very  short  as  He 
must  needs  go  into  the  other  cities  of  Galilee,  and 
He  did  so,  preaching  in  their  Synagogues.  The 
first  thought  of  our  young  men  was  to  follow  the 
Christ  for  several  of  the  town  people  had  done  so— 
but  they  were  not  able  to  depart  from  the  city  for 
several  days.  Those  were  anxious  days  for  them 
both  and  it  was  with  great  joy  that  they  hailed 
the  morn  on  which  they  were  able  to  take  their 
departure  from  the  city  to  follow  the  Christ. 

After  a  long  day's  journey  they  found  they 
were  not  far  from  where  Fie  was  laboring  among 
the  people.  They  found  that  He  had  continued 
His  great  work  of  healing  and  that  great  numbers 
had  been  restored.  They  also  found  that  great 
multitudes  of  people  were  following  Him  from 


/  M  M  A  A  L  E  L  .  ^ 

one  place  to  another — not  only  people  from  Gal- 
ilee but  also  from  Decapolis  and  from  Jerusalem, 
and  from  Judaea,  and  from  beyond  Jordan. 

The  next  day  Bar-elah,  with  Eliab,  stood  once 
more  in  the  presence  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth.  A 
large  number  of  people  were  following  Him, 
anxious  to  hear  every  word  that  proceeded  out  of 
His  mouth  and  to  see  everything  that  He  did. 
Suddenly  there  was  a  scattering  of  the  crowd — or 
rather  an  opening  made  through  the  midst  of  it  as 
a  man,  full  of  leprosy,  was  seen  approaching  Jesus 
as  hastily  as  he  could.  Every  one  drew  back  from 
him  fearing,  lest  his  garment  should  touch  theirs 
and  they  thereby  become  defiled  and  possibly 
have  that  dreaded,  that  awful  disease  conveyed  to 
them.  No  one  sought  to  hinder  his  approach  for 
no  one  dared  touch  him. 

Bar— elah  and  Eliab  looked  on  in  wonder.  Did 
this  one  who  was  making  directly  for  the  Christ — 
did  this  one  intend  to  touch  and  thus  defile  the 
Christ?  Every  eye  was  upon  him.  Would  the 
Christ  get  out  of  his  way  or  suffer  him  not  to 
come  near  Him  ? 

But  see — he  falls  on  his  face  before  Jesus — 
and  what  are  those  words  he  'utters  ?  Bar-elah 


4S  IM  MANUEL. 

and  EHab  heard  them. 

"Lord,  if  thou  wilt,  thou  canst  make  me 
clean."  What  will  the  Christ  do  ?  Can  he  cleanse 
one  so  terribly  afflicted  ? 

Those  who  looked  into  the  face  of  the  Christ 
saw  there  a  look  of  wonderful  compassion.  And 
what  is  this  He  does?  He  stretches  forth  His 
hand  and  touches  the  leper  and  says  to  him: 

"I  will;  be  thou  clean." 

And  straightway  he  was  cleansed  of  his  leprosy, 
and  although  Jesus  charged  him  particularly  that 
he  was  to  tell  no  man  of  this,  he  who  had  been 
cleansed  went  out  and  published  everywhere  that 
he  could,  the  news  of  his  wonderful  cleansing. 
The  effect  of  this  was  that  Jesus  was  unable  to 
enter  openly  into  the  city — because  of  the  im- 
mense multitudes  that  came  to  Him,  but  had  to 
resort  to  desert  places — and  even  there  the  people 
flocked  to  him  from  every  quarter,  Bar-elah  and 
Eliab  being  among  those  who  followed  Him. 

They  heard  that  Jesus  was  soon  to  return  to 
Capernaum  and  after  some  days  followed  by  much 
people,  He  did  so.  Bar— elah  and  Eli^b  returned 
to  the  city  also.  It  was  soon  noised  abroad  that 
Jesus  was  there  and  a  great  throng  of  people 


1  M  MA  NUE  L. 


46 


gathered  about  the  house,  so  there  was  not  room 
to  enter. 

Bar-elah  and  Eliab,  however,  arrived  in  time 
to  secure  an  entrance  and  while  there  they  saw 
another  of  Jesus'  mighty  works,  for  one  sick  with 
the  palsy  was  -brought  and  when  those  who  bore 
him  came  to  the  house — for  he  was  borne  of  four 
—they  could  not  gain  an  entrance  into  the  house 
so  they  went  to  the  house-top  and  let  the  sick  of 
the  palsy  down  through  the  roof  until  he  came  be- 
fore the  spot  where  Jesus  stood  .preaching  the 
word  to  the  multitude  that  had  gathered  about 
Him.  And  oh  such  wonderful  and  gracious  words 
as  He  spake!  Every  one  of  them  thrilled  Eliab 
and  as  he  fixed  his  eyes  upon  Jesus,  as  He  spake, 
it  seemed  to  Eliab  that  he  must  accept  this  One 
as  the  Messias,  the  Son  of  God. 

The  sick  of  the  palsy  lay  before  Jesus,  looking 
pitiously  into  the  face  so  full  of  tenderness  and 
love  and  compassion. 

Jesus  seeing  their  faith  saith  to  the  man : 
"Son,  be  of  good  cheer;  thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee." 

Immediately  some  of  the  scribes  and  Phari- 
sees whispered  among  themselves,  charging  the 
Christ  with  blasphemy  for  presuming,  as  the}' 


47  IM  MANUEL. 

thought,  to  forgive  sins.  But  Jesus  knew  their 
thoughts,  although  Fie  did  not  hear  their  murmur- 
ings,  and  He  said  to  them  :  "Wh}'  reason  ye  these 
things  in  your  hearts  ?  Whether  is  it  easier  to 
say  to  the  sick  of  the  palsy,  Thy  sins  be  forgiven 
thee;  or  to  say,  Arise,  and  take  up  thy  bed,  and 
walk  ?  But  that  ye  inay  know  that  the  Son  of 
man  hath  power  on  eai'th  to  forgive  sins,  I  say 
unto  thee,  Arise,  and  take  up  thy  bed,  and  go  thy 
way  into  thine  house." 

And  the  man  arose  in  the  presence  of  all  of 
them,  took  up  his  bed,  and  walked  away — a  cured 
man — a  perfectly  restored  man — and  as  he  went 
he  glorified  God.  And  those  who  witnessed  this 
wonderful  cure,  were  amazed  and  many  of  them 
also,  glorified  God. 

Not  only  did  the  words  of  Christ  and  the 
proof  He  gave  the  Pharisees,  answer  the  ques- 
tions in  the  hearts  of  the  scribes  and  Pharisees — 
but  they  also  answered  a  question  in  the  heart 
ofEliab. 

He  had  through  the  teachings  of  Christ  which 
he  had  heard,  been  aroused  to  a  sense  of  his  need 
of  forgiveness  of  sin  and  now  the  words  he  heard 
from  those  divine  lips  : 


1  MM  A  Alt  EL. 


48 


"That  ye  may  know  that  the  Son  of  man  hath 
power  011  earth  to  forgive  sins," — and  the  evidence 
of  this,  made  him  feel  that  he  too  ought  to  become 
a  disciple  of  the  Christ  and  when  alone  with  his 
companion  he  said  to  him  : 

"Elah,  I  believe  that  this  Jesus  of  Nazareth 
is  the  Son  of  the  living  God — and  that  He  has 
power  to  forgive  sins  and  I  purpose  following 
Him." 

Bar-elah  made  no  audible  reply,  but  Eliab 
read  in  his  friend's  face,  as  their  eyes  met,  a  re- 
sponse which  he  saw  was  not  at  all  unfavorable  to 
his  plans. 

"And,  Elah,"  continued  Eli*b,  UI  mean  to 
leave  all  and  follow  Him — but  I  want  you  my 
friend  to  go  with  me  even  if  you  do  not  feel  just 
as  I  do  about  it." 

"Well,  I'll  tell  you,  Eliab,"  answered  Bar- 
elah,  "while  I  don't  feel  at  all  as  you  do,  I  do  want 
to  go  with  you  wherever  you  go.  I  haven't  seen 
enough,  of  him  yet.  But  I  don't  want  people  to 
think  I'm  one  of  his  followers  for  I  don't  feel 
exactly  as  you  do,  Eliab." 

Eliab  had  truly  been  born  anew  and  was  now 
a  son  of  God.  His  soul  was  filled  with  joy  un- 


4g  IM  MANUEL, 

speakable,  and  the  peace  that  passeth  all  under- 
standing. He  had  found  in  Jesus  the  Great  Phy- 
sician who  had  power  to  heal  the  soul  of  all 
diseases. 

His  great  concern  now  was  for  his  own  dear 
Elah.  Oh !  such  a  burden  as  rested  upon  his 
heart  for  this  one  whom  he  loved  !  and  the  thought 
last  in  his  mind  as  he  dropped  off  to  sleep  as  he 
lay  beside  Bar-elah  that  night  was,  uOh  that  I 
might  bring  my  Elah,  diseased  with  sin,  to  the 
blessed  Christ,  that  He  might  touch  him  and 
heal  him!" 


CHAPTER     VI. 


3  time  for  the  Passover  drew  nigh  and 
'again  every  road  was  filled  with  caravans  of 
devout  Jews,  all  headed  towards  Jerusalem,  where 
they  were  going  to  attend  the  great  feast.  Jesus 
and  His  disciples  were  among  those  who  went 
from  Capernaum.  Bar-elah,  Eliab  and  Eliphaz, 
with  whom  our  young  men  had  now  become  well 
acquainted,  were  among  those  who  went  up  to 
Jerusalem. 

On  the  Sabbath  day  Jesus  went  to  the  pool  of 
Bethesda,  which  is  by  the  sheep  gate,  and  there 
He  found  a  great  multitude  of  blind,  withered, 
halt,  diseased  ones  waiting  until  the  water  of  the 
pool  should  be  stirred,  for  at  such  times,  when  the 
waters  would  gush  forth  from  the  springs  feeding 
the  pool,  it  was  held  that  at  such  times  the  cura- 
tive properties  of  the  pool  were  increased  and  then 
it  was  that  all  those  lying  in  the  porches  surround- 
ing the  pool,  would  at  once  hurry  into  the  water. 


SI  IM  MANUEL. 

Jesus  found  one  poor,  lonely,  helpless,  infirm  man, 
who  could  not  drag  himself  down  to  the  pool  be- 
fore the  stirring  of  the  water  had  ceased  and 
others  had  crowded  him  out.  This  man  had  been 
infirm  thirty  and  eight  years  and  had  during  the 
time  he  had  been  there  at  the  pool  made  repeated 
efforts  to  find  relief,  but  all  in  vain. 

Jesus  saw  this  man  and  knowing  his  case  fall 
well  approached  him.  Bar-elah  and  Eliab  stood 
near.  Jesus  said  to  the  man  :  "Wilt  thou  be 
made  whole  ?" 

The  poor  man  knew  not  who  it  was  that 
spoke  to  him,  but  still  depending  entirely  upon 
the  waters  of  the  pool  for  relief,  explained  to  Jesus 
the  difficulty  of  his  getting  into  the  water  when  it 
was  stirred.  But  Jesus  simply  said  to  him  : — 
"Rise,  take  up  thy  bed,  and  walk."  And  imme- 
diately he  did  so.  Thereupon  the  Jews  murmured 
against  the  man  for  he  carried  his  bed  on  the 
Sabbath  and  according  to  their  belief  this  was 
unlawful.  The  only  defense  the  man  put  forth, 
however,  was  that  this  One  who  had  made  him 
whole  had  told  him  to  take  up  his  bed. 

Afterwards  in  the  temple  Jesus  revealed 
Himself  to  the  man — and  the  man  departed  from 


1  M  M  A  A  L  EL.  c2 

the  temple  and  told  the  Jews  that  It  was  Jesus  who 
had  healed  him  of  his  infirmity.  Upon  hearing 
this  the  Jews  sought  to  persecute  and  slay  Jesus, 
simply  because  He  had  made  this  man  whole  on 
the  Sabbath  day.  Jesus  answered  the  Jews  at 
some  length.  In  His  discourse  to  them,  among 
other  blessed  truths  uttered  was  this  :' 

"Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  Fie  that  hear- 
eth  my  word,  and  believeth  on  him  that  sent  me, 
hath  everlasting  life,  and  shall  not  come  into  con- 
demnation ;  but  is  passed  from  death  unto  life." 

Oh  !  how    those  words  thrilled  Eliab's  heart ! 

"Blessed,  blessed  words,"  thought  he.  "Just 
what  I  have  experienced.  O  give  thanks  unto 
the  Lord,  I  have  passed  from  death  unto  life — 
condemnation  no  longer  rests  upon  me."  His 
face  shone  with  the  light  that  was  in  his  soul. 

"Eliab  ,"  said  Bar-elah  as  they  walked  along 
the  street  a  little  later,  "You  seem  so  happy,  why 
is  it  ?  I  wish  I  could  feel  as  bright  as  you  do — 
why  boy,  your  face  literally  shines,  you  are  so 
happy." 

"Oh  Elah,"  replied  Eliab  slipping  his  arm 
through  Bar-elah 's,  "it  is  my  new  found  joy 
through  believing  in  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  the  Christ, 


co  IM  MANUEL. 


the  Son  of  God/    And  oh!  how   I    wish    this  joy 
yours!" 
They  walked  on  in  silence. 


was  yours !' 


After  the  feast  of  the  Passover,  Jesus  returned 
to  ^alilee  with  His  disciples.  Eliab  accompanied 
by  Bar-elah,  followed  Him  thither — and  almost 
immediately  after  their  arrival  had  another  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  one  of  His  wonderful  works.  It 
w'as  the  Sabbath  and  Jesus  and  His  disciples  had 
gone  to  the  Synagogue.  Bar-elah  and  Eliab 
were  there.  There  was  also  in  the  Synagogue  a 
man  whose  hand  was  withered.  Jesus  spoke  to 
the  man  and  told  him  to  stand  forth  in  the  midst 
of. them.  He  did  so,  and  then  after  He  had  ques- 
tioned the  murmuring  Jews  as  to  whether  or  not 
it  was  lawful  to  do  good  on  the  Sabbath  clay  and 
receiving  no  response  from  them — Jesus  saith 
unto  the  man  : 

"Stretch  forth  thine  hand," — and  to  the 
amazement  of  every  one  the  man  stretched  forth 
his  withered,  helpless,  seemingly  lifeless  hand  and 
it  was  fully  healed  and  restored.  Bar-elah  looked 
at  Eliab  with  amazement.  Astonishment  was 
written  upon  every  line  of  his  countenance.  But 


1MMANUEL.  c4 

some  of  the  Jews  present  were  filled  with  wrath 
and  at  once  began,  after  they  had  gone  out  from 
the  Synagogue,  to  counsel  together  against  Jesus. 
Eliab's  belief  in  Jesus  was  stronger  than  ever, 
while  Bar-elah  had  to  admit  to  his  friend  that : 

"Surely  it  does  seem  as  if  this  One  must  have 
been  sent  from  God." 

When  Jesus  knew  of  the  plans  of  the  Jews 
against  Him,  He  at  once  quietly  withdrew  and 
went  to  the  Sea  of  Galilee.  Great  multitudes  fol- 
lowed Him,  not  only  from  Galilee  but  also  from 
Tyre  and  Sidon  and  from  beyond  the  Jordan, 
many  of  them  diseased  and  all  of  them  eager  to 
touch  Him,  because  of  the  virtue  that  came  from 
Him  and  that  cured  their  diseases  and  cast  out 
their  unclean  spirits.  As  we  might  well  expect, 
Bar-elah  and  Eliab  were  both  among  the  people 
who  thronged  about  Jesus. 

When  Jesus  looked  upon  the  multitude  that 
had  followed  Him,  He  went  up  into  a  mountain 
and  sat  down  to  teach  them.  He  uttered  many 
wonderfully  gracious  words.  Truths  that  thrilled 
the  hearts  of  His  hearers. 

''Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit :"  said  He,  ufor 
theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Blessed  are  they 


Sc  IM  MA  NU  E  L. 

that  mourn  :  for  they  shall  be  comforted.  Blessed 
are  the  meek:  for  they  shall  inherit  the  earth. 
Blessed  are  they  which  do  hunger  and  thirst  after 
righteousness  :  for  they  shall  be  filled.  Blessed 
are  the  merciful :  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy. 
Blessed  are  the  pure  in  he-art :  for  they  shall  see 
God.  Blessed  are  the  peacemakers :  for  they 
shall  be  called  the  children  of  God." 

Such  statements  as  these,  the  multitudes  had 
not  heprd  from  any  other  teacher. 

uYe  are  the  salt  of  the  earth  :"  said  Jesus. 
uYe  are  the  light  of  the  world." 

"The  salt  of  the  earth,"  thought  Eliab,  as  he 
repeated  the  words  to  himself. 

"Salt  preserves :  salt  heals.  Can  He  mean 
that  we  who  are  His  followers  are  to  help  to  heal 
the  sin-sick  and  diseased?  Can  He  mean  that  we 
are  to  help  keep  the  souls  of  men  from  putrefy- 
ing?" And  Eliab  had  a  new  conception  of  what 
it  meant  to  be  a  follower  of  Jesus  Christ.  uThe 
light  of  the  world,"  thought  he.  uTo  help  dispel 
the  darkness  of  iniquity.  Oh  !  what  a  glorious 
discipleship  is  this!" 

Bar-elah  listened  with  eagerness  to  every 
word  that  the  Christ  spoke.  His  eyes  were 


JMMAAUEL.  £-6 

fastened  on  the  great  teacher.  Not  once  during 
the  entire  discourse  were  they  removed,  such  was 
his  attention  and  interest. 

"Be  ye  therefore  perfect,  even  as  your  Father 
which  is  in  heaven  is  perfect,"  said  Jesus. 

"Yes,"  thought  Eliab.  "that  is  the  longing  of 
my  heart:  to  be  perfect  as  this  One  the  Christ,  is 
— as  the  Father  in  heaven  is." 

Many    other    wonderful   teachings    followed: 

"Lay  not  up  for  yourselves  treasures  upon 
earth,  where  moth  and  rust  doth  corrupt,  and  where 
thieves  break  through  and  steal :  but  lay  up  for 
yourselves  treasures  in  heaven,  where  neither 
moth  nor  rust  doth  corrupt,  and  where  thieves  do 
not  break  through  nor  steal :  For  where  your 
treasure  is,  there  will  your  heart  be  also." 

And  as  he  heard  these  words  Bar-elah  was 
forcibly  reminded  of  the  great  loss  his  father  had 
once  suffered,  when  one  night,  unknown  to  all  the 
family,  a  thief  had  broken  into  the  little  chest 
where  all  their  earnings  were  stored,  and  made 
away  with  them  all,  leaving  the  family  with  noth- 
ing. The  words  of  Christ  impressed  him  forcibly. 

And  many  other  wonderful  words  spake  Jesus 
to  the  multitude  gathered  before  Him,  the  result 


r7  IM  MANUEL. 

being  they  were  all  filled  with  astonishment  at 
His  doctrine  and  manner  of  teaching. 

As  they  came  down  from  the  mountain  Eliab 
slipped  his  arm  about  Bar-elah,  saying  as  he 
did  so  : 

"My  dear  Elah,  have  you  ever  heard  such 
wonderful  truths  ?  Do  you  not  believe  too,  that 
this  One  is,  indeed,  the  Christ  of  God  ?"  Bar-elah 
was  silent.  "It  seemed  to  me  Elah,"  continued 
Eliab,  "that  I  never  had  the  truth  impressed  on 
me  more  forcibly.  Just  think  Elah,  of  such  state- 
ments as  we  heard  from  His  gracious  lips  :  'Seek 
ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  his  righteous- 
ness ;' — His  righteousness  remember,  not  our 
own — 'and  all  these  things  shall  be  added  unto 
you.'  And  what  a  glorious  promise  that:  'Ask, 
and  it  shall  be  given  you  ;  seek,  and  ye  shall  find  ; 
knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you.' 

"Then  too,  what  He  said  about  the  strait  gate 
that  leads  to  life  and  the  wide  gate  that  leads  to 
destruction.  Elah,  I  believe  I  have,  through  this 
Christ,  entered  the  strait  gate.  Dear  Elah,  will 
you  not  believe  on  Him  also?" — pleaded  Eliab. 
Bar-elah  .was  silent  for  a  moment  and  then  taking 
Eliab's  hand  in  his  own,  he  said : 


I  Af  MANUEL.  eg 

"Eliab,  I  want  more  time  to  think  about  these 
things.  But  I'll  tell  you  my  boy,  I  never  realized 
how  ungodly  I  was  until  I  compared  my  life  with 
the  pure,  unspotted,  holy  life  of  Jesus." 

Eliab's  heart  bounded  with  joy  for  he  felt  that 
Bar-elah  must  certainly  be  coining  to  the  light. 

As  the  multitude  separated  for  the  time  be- 
ing, our  young  men  suddenly  found  themselves 
face  to  face  with  Eliphaz,  the  young  man  of  Ca- 
pernaum whom  they  had  seen  healed  by  Jesus. 

"Eliphaz,"  said  both  boys  at  the  same  time  as 
they  looked  with  astonishment  into  his  attractive 
face, — "are  you  here,  too?" 

"Yes,"  said  Eliphaz  after  their  more  formal 
greetings  were  over, — "I  was  one  of  the  number 
to  follow  this  one  called  Jesus,  from  Capernaum. 
He  says  some  wonderful  things,  does  He  not?" 

"But  say,  Bar-elah  and  Eliab,  come  abide 
with  me  to-night,  at  my  cousin's  home?" 

The  three  young  men  spent  some  time 
together  discussing  the  teachings  of  the  Christ 
and  were  just  settled  for  the  night  when  a  mes- 
senger came  to  the  house  to  summons  Eliphaz  to 
the  death-bed  of  a  very  intimate  friend — a  young 
man  in  the  city  of  Nain. 


rg  IMMANUEL. 

"Well,  Eliab  and  Bar-elah,"  said  Elipliaz  as 
he  caine  into  the  room  where  the  two  boys  had 
been  asleep,  "I  shall  have  to  leave  yon.  One 
whom  I  have  long  known  and  loved  is  sick  unto 
death  and  he  wants  to  see  me.  I  fear  that  even 
now  I  am  too  late  for  the  messenger  left  yester- 
day at  the  rising  of  the  sun  and  was  delayed  on 
the  way  and  too,  he  had  trouble  finding  me.  I 
fear  my  friend  has  already  died.  So  I  must  needs 
make  haste.  The  Lord  be  gracious  to  you  until 
we  meet  again." 


CHAPTER    VII 


HE   day   after,  Jesus  with   a  number  of  His 

'disciples  and  many  people,  Bar-elah  and 
Eliab  among  the  number,  went  into  the  city  of 
Nain. 

"Is  not  Nain  the  city  to  which  Eliphaz  went, 
Eliab  ?"  asked  Bar-elah,  as  they  came  in  sight  of 
the  city. 

"Yes,"  replied  Eliab. 

"What  means  that  crowd  of  people  corning 
through  the  gate  of  the  city,  Eliab?"  asked  Bar- 
elah  as  he  saw  a  large  number  of  people  approach- 
ing. 

"Why,  Elah,  I  believe  it  is  one  being  taken 
to  the  burial,"  answered  Eliab.  "I  wonder,"  said 
he  turning  quickly  to  his  friend  as  a  sudden 
thought  seemed  to  come  to  him,  "I  wonder  if  it 
can  be  that  the  friend  of  Eliphaz  is  dead!" 


5T  IMMANUEL. 

The  funeral  procession  was  a  long  one.  The 
two  multitudes — the  qne  following  the  body  of 
the  dead,  and  the  one  following  Jesus — met.  Bar— 
elah  soon  recognized  Eliphaz  among  the  chief 
mourners  and  from  this  he  knew  that  the  body 
was  that  of  the  young  man  whom  Eliphaz  had 
gone  to  visit.  Eliab  too,  saw  Eliphaz. 

The  mother  of  the  young  man  walked  close 
beside  the  body  of  her  boy.  Her  grief  was  intense 
for  not  only  had  she  lost  her  boy,  but  in  losing 
him  she  had  had  her  only  support  taken  away,— 
for  he  was  her  only  son  and  she  was  a  widow. 
When  Jesus  saw  her  His  heart  was  touched.  It 
was  filled  with  compassion.  He  approached  her. 
Every  eye  was  on  Him.  What  would  He  say, 
what  would  He  do  ?  Eliphaz  was  quick  to  recog- 
nize Him  and  his  heart  bounded  with  delight 
when  he  saw  the  face  so  full  of  compassion  and 
love,  the  face  of  the  One  who  had  done  so  much 
for  him.  Could  He  help  him  now  in  his  grief? 

When  He  came  to  the  grief  stricken  mother,  He 
simply  said  to  her  :  aW"eep  not," — and  then  turn- 
ing to  the  bier  whereon  the  young  man's  body  lay, 
He  touched  it  and  the  bearers  of  it  stood  still  and 
Jesus,  speaking  to  the  body — so  cold  in  death,  and 


1MMANUEL.  52 

all  bound  in  grave  clothes — said: 

"Young  man,  I  say  unto  thee,  Arise." 
What,  bidding  the  dead  come    to  life?     Yes, 
and  immediately  the  young  man  sat  up  and  spoke 
to  the  mother  and  to  Eliphaz   and  these    straight- 
way fell  upon  his  neck  and  kissed  him. 

The  multitudes  that  beheld  this  mighty  work 
were  astonished  beyond  measure,  fear  came  upon 
them  and  they  began  to  glorify  God,  some  saying 
that  "a  great  prophet  is  risen  up  among  us." 
Others  that  "God  hath  visited  his  people."  Bar- 
elah  and  Eliab  were  as  much  amazed  as  any  of 
the  others,  for,  although,  they  had  seen  many 
mighty  things  done  by  Jesus,  they  had  not  for  a 
moment  thought  of  His  having  power  to  raise  the 
dead. 

Bar-elah  £nd  Eliab  had  only  a  moment  with 
Eliphaz  and  his  resurrected  friend.  That  moment 
though,  spent  in  conversation  with  the  one  who 
even  then  had  the  grave-clothes  about  him,  pro- 
duced an  impression  upon  the  heart  of  each  of  our 
boys,  never  to  be  effaced.  As  Eliphaz  parted  with 
the  boys,  he  called  to  Eliab: 

"Come  spend  a  few  days  with  us  in  Nain." 
"We'll  see,"  answered  both  boys  at  the  same 


6~  IM  MANUEL. 

time. 

"I  rather  think  we  had  better  go  for  a  few 
days,  Eliab,"  said  Bar-elah  after  Eliphaz  had  left 
them.  "We  are  out  of  food  and  are  both  in  need" 
of  rest  and  I  am  somewhat  foot-sore  from  walking 
so  much.  I'm  not  used  to  it,  you  know.  Then 
too,  I  can't  understand  all  this  that  we  have  seen 
and  am  somewhat  curious  to  see  this  young  man 
again." 

Eliab  was  desirous  of  following  Jesus,  but  be- 
ing concerned  deeply  for  Bar-elah  and  knowing 
well  that  his  feet  were  troubling  him  greatly  he 
readily  agreed  to  Bar-elah 's  proposition.  An 
hour  later  the  two  were  seated  with  Eliphaz,  talk- 
ing over  the  wonderful  events  of  the  day. 

That  night  Bar-elah 's  feet  troubled  him  so 
that  he  could  not  sleep  at  all.  Twiqe  Eliab  arose 
and  attended  to  them  for  him.  Towards  morning 
Bar-elah  awoke  Eliab  sa3dng  to  him : 

"Eliab,  I'm  sick."  And  he  was  sick,  too: 
Eliab  found  him  suffering  greatly.  The  next  day 
was  a  very  hard  one  for  poor  Bar-elah.  Eliab  did 
not  leave  his  bed-side  at  all  during  the  day.  The 
days  that  followed  were  anxious  ones.  It  seemed 
at  times  that  Bar-elah 's  sickness  would  become 


JMMAAUEL.  5^ 

very  serious. 

One  day  when  Bar— elah  seemed  to  be  suffer- 
ing the  most,  he  drew  Eliab  to  him,  saying  as  he 
did  so  : 

"Oh  !  Eliab  I  wish  Jesus  could  come  and  put 
hand  upon  me  and  cure  me  as  he  did  with  the 
many  whom  we  saw  healed." 

"Yes  Elah,  my  boy,  I  wish  He  was  here,"  re- 
plied Eliab.  This  had  been  the  longing  of  Eliab's 
heart  from  the  first. 

After  quite  a  siege,  during  which  Eliab  kept 
close  to  his  friend  and  ministered  to  him  con- 
stantly, Bar-elah  began  to  mend  and  was  soon 
able  to  be  out  again. 

During  all  of  this  time  Jesus  and  His  disciples 
had  been  very  busy.  After  leaving  Nain  He  went 
with  the  twelve  through  all  the  cities  and  villages 
of  Galilee,  preaching  every  where  the  gospel  of  the 
kingdom.  And  He  did  many  wonderful  things. 
One  day  one  possessed  of  a  devil,  who  was  also 
dumb  and  blind,  was  brought  to  Him  and  He  cast 
out  the  devil  and  healed  the  man  of  his  blindness 
and  dumbness. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

"  said  Bar-elah  one  day  after  he  was 
well  again  and  the  two  boys  were  alone  for  a 
moment,  "I  think  we  had  better  start  out  to-nior- 
row  to  find  Jesus  of  Nazareth.  It  has  been  quite 
a  long  time  since  we  have  seen  him.  I  am  feeling 
real  strong  again  and  I  think  we  had  better  go, 
Eliphaz  just  told  me  that  he  heard  that  he  was  in 
the  neighborhood  of  the  Sea  of  Galilee — not  far 
from  Capernaum.  Shall  we  go,  Eliab?" 

"Alright,  Elah,  I'm  ready,  if  you  feel  well 
enough,"  was  Eliab's  response.  And  so  the  boys 
decided  to  start  on  the  second  day  and  travel 
slowly  until  they  should  again  be  with  Jesus. 

While  they  were  on  their  journey  Jesus  was 
discoursing  to  the  nmltitudes,  in  parables.  He 
spoke  to  them  a  parable  concerning  a  barren-fig 
tree  to  teach  men  that  they  ought  to  bear  fruit. 
Then  too  He  spoke  the  parable  of  the  sower.  I 
told  them  how  the  sower  went  forth  to  sow  and 


1MMANUEL.  55 

his  sowing  some  of  the  seed  ufell  by  the  way  side  ; 
some  fell  upon  a  rock  ;  some  fell  among  thorns  ; 
other  fell  on  good  ground." 

His  disciples  asked  Him  to  explain  this 
parable  to  them  and  He  did  so,  telling  them  that 
this  parable  taught  the  various  ways  in  which 
men  hear  and  receive  the  word. 

Said  He :     "The  seed  is  the  word  of  God. 

"Those  by  the  way  side  are  they  that  hear ; 
then  cometh  the  devil,  and  taketh  away  the  word 
out  of  their  hearts,  lest  they  should  believe  and 
be  saved. 

"They  on  the  rock  are  they,  which,  when  they 
hear,  receive  the  word  with  joy  ;  and  these  have 
no  root,  which  for  a  while  believe,  and  in  time  of 
temptation  fall  away. 

"And  that  which  fell  among  thorns  are  they, 
which,  when  they  have  heard,  go  forth,  and  are 
choked  with  cares  and  riches  and  pleasures  of  this 
life,  and  bring  no  fruit  to  perfection. 

"But  that  on  the  good  ground  are  they,  which 
in  an  honest  and  good  heart,  having  heard  the 
word,  keep  it,  and  bring  forth  fruit  with  patience." 

Other  parables  followed.  One  of  the  tares. 
Another  teaching  men  that  the  kingdom  of  heaven 


£7  IM  MANUEL. 

was  like  a  mustard  seed  ;  small  in  its  beginnings, 
but  increasing  and  becoming  a  refuge  for  the 
weary.  One  teaching  that  the  kingdom  was  like 
leaven  ;  silent  yet  sure  and  powerful  in  its  work- 
ings. 

Seeing  the  great  throng  of  people  about  Him, 
Jesus  quietly  withdrew  to  the  other  side  of  the 
lake  but  on  the  way  a  tempest  was  encountered. 
Jesus,  weary  of  body,  had  fallen  asleep  in  the 
boat.  The  storm  grew  more  fierce  until  it  seemed 
to  the  disciples  who  were  in  the  boat,  that  the}7 
must  perish.  The  boat  filled  with  water.  They 
awoke  Jesus  and  rising  in  their  midst  He  quietly 
said  to  the  boisterous  sea: 

"Peace,'be  still,"  and  immediately  the  storm 
ceased  and  all  was  quiet.  Then  were  those  in  the 
boat  filled  with  amazement  because  of  His  mighty 
power,  because  even  the  wind  and  waves  obeyed 
Him. 

Upon  reaching  the  other  side  two  possessed 
with  demons  met  Him  and  He  caused  the  evil 
spirits  to  come  out  of  them  and  to  pass  into  a  herd 
of  swine  near  at  hand  and  these,  numbering  about 
two  thousand,  in  their  madness,  straightway 
rushed  headlong  into  the  sea  and  were  destroyed. 


• 


1MMAAUEL.  5g 

Great  fear  came  upon  the  people  of  that  region 
when  they  heard  what  Jesus  had  done  and  they 
besought  Him  to  leave  the  country. 

Jesus  returned  to  Capernaum  ancl  was  gladly 
received  by  the  people  for  they  had  been  looking 
anxiously  for  His  return. 

While  there  Jairus,  one  of  the  rulers  of  the 
Synagogue,  and  whose  daughter  was  sick  unto 
death,  came  to  Jesus  and  besought  Him  to  go  to 
his  house  and  lay  His  hand  upon  her  that  she 
might  not  die.  Jesus  went  but  before  they 
reached  the  house  word  was  brought  to  Jairus 
that  his  daughter  was  dead.  Jesus  did  not  stop, 
however.  He  went  to  the  house  and  going  to 
where  the  body  lay  He  took  the  maid  by  the  hand 
and  immediately  she  arose. 

While  on  the  way  to  the  house  of  Jairus 
another  mighty  work  was  wrought.  The  people 
were  thronging  about  Jesus  as  He  walked  with 
His  disciples  and  Jairus.  In  the  crowd  was  a 
woman  who  for  twelve  years  had  been  suffering 
with  an  issue  of  blood.  She  had  spent  all  she 
had  upon  physicians  but  had  obtained  no  relief 
whatever.  She  was  in  fact  worse  than  ever.  She 
had  heard  of  Jesus  and  His  many  mighty  cures. 


6o  IM  MANUEL, 

She  had  great  faith-  in  Him  and  was  anxious  to 
have  Him  cnre  her.  As  she  pushed  her  way 
through  the  crowd  she  said  to  herself: 

"If  I  may  but  touch  his  garment,  I  shall  be 
whole."  Gradiially  she  came  nearer  to  the  blessed 
Jesiis  and  finally  by  reaching  forth  her  hand  she 
was  able  to  touch  the  hem  of  his  garment.  She 
did  so  and  immediately  she  was  cured.  Jesus 
turning  said  to  her  : 

"Daughter,  be  of  good  comfort :  thy  faith  hath 
made  thee  whole ;  go  in  peace." 

As  Jesus  went  from  the  home  of  Jairus  He 
was  met  by  two  blind  men  who  besought  Him  to 
have  mercy  on  them.  He  simply  touched  their 
eyes  and  immediately  the}7  had  their  sight  re- 
stored to  them. 

After  this  He  went  forth  into  all  the  cities 
and  villages,  preaching  the  gospel  and  healing  the 
sick,  and  many  believed  on  Him. 

During  this  time  Bar-elah  and  Eliab  had 
been  slowly  travelling  over  the  road  from  Nsiii  to 
Capernaum.  They  went  only  a  short  distance 
each  day  as  Bar-elah  found  he  was  not  as  strong 
as  he  had  thought  himself  to  be.  They  visited  in 
the  towns  through  which  they  passed. 


1MMANUEL.  70 

One  evening  as  they  were  going  along  the 
street  of  the  little  village  where  they  were  to 
spend  the  night,  they  met  a  young  man  whom 
they  recognized  as  an  acquaintance  from  Caper- 
naum. After  their  formal  greetings  Bar-elah 
said :  . 

"Did  you  hear  anything  while  at  home  of  the 
whereabouts  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth  ?" 

"Yes,  he  is  now  not  far  from  Capernaum," 
answered  the  young  man  and  then  he  told  them 
of  all  the  mighty  works  of  Jesus  in  Galilee,  to 
which  we  have  referred. 

"I  myself  saw  many  of  these  things,"  said  the 
young  man.  "Demons  were'  cast  out ;  the  sick 
were  healed;  the  blind  had  their  eyes  opened;  the 
dumb  spoke." 

That  night  the  boys  stayed  at  the  home  of  an 
old  friend  of  Bar-elah 's  father.  After  they  had 
retired  they  lay  for  sometime,  talking  about  the 
news  they  had  heard  concerning  Jesus. 

"Oh  Elah,  I'm  so  anxious  to  see  that  face 
again  and  be  with  Him  again,"  said  Eliab. 

"So  am  I,  Eliab,"  was  the  response. 

During  the  next  few  days  they  made  excel- 
lent progress  and  reached  Capernaum  one  day 


yj  IM MANUEL. 

just  at  the  setting  of  the  sun.  They  went  at  once 
to  the  home  of  the  uncle  where  they  had  stayed 
before.  Their  first  inquiry  was  as  to  where  Jesus 
could  be  found. 

"He  is  some  place  along  the  coast  of  the  sea," 
said  the  uncle.  "I  think  that  if  you  take  a  boat 
and  cross  the  sea  in  the  morning  you  will  find 
him  there." 

Next  morning  at  the  dawn  of  day  the  two 
boys  were  up  and  on  their  way.  They  found 
many  people  about  and  upon  inquiry  found  that 
they  were  going  along  the  shore  around  to  the 
place  where  Jesus  was.  It  was  some  distance  and 
our  boys  had  to  go  slowly  on  Bar-elah's  account, 
and  they  did  not  get  around  the  northern  end  of 
the  sea  until  late  in  the  day.  Suddenly  they 
came  in  sight  of  a  very  great  multitude  of  people. 

"Ah,"  said  Eliab,  "I  guess  we  have  found 
Him,  Elah."  And  they  had  for  Jesus  sat  in  the 
midst  of  the  multitude.  The  day  was  drawing  to 
a  close.  Just  as  the  boys  arrived  Jesus  had  told 
His  disciples  to  make  the  multitude  sit  down  in 
bands  of  fifty, 'upon  the  grass,  and  the  disciples 
went  forth  at  once  into  the  multitude  to  carry  out 
the  Lord's  command. 


JMMAAUEL.  j2 

"What  do  you  suppose  this  can  mean  Elah," 
asked  Eliab. 

"I'm  sure  I  can't  tell  you,  Eliab.  I  wish  we 
had  been  a  little  sooner;  but  we'll  soon  see." 

When  the  multitude,  (which  numbered  about 
five  thousand  men  besides  the  women  and  child- 
ren), was  seated,  every  eye  was  again  fastened 
upon  Jesus.  A  small  basket  was  handed  to  Him. 
It  contained  five  loaves  of  bread  and  tw.o  small 
fishes. 

"Can  it  be  Eliab,  that  He  is  going  to  feed 
this  great  multitude?"  whispered  Bar-elan  as  he 
leaned  over  to  Eliab.  "The  day  is  far  spent,  this 
is  a  desert  place  and  the  people  are  undoubtedly 
very  hungry  and  weary,  but  where  can  He  get 
enough  for  this  great  crowd?" 

But  see,  what  is  it  the  Christ  does  ?  Every 
eye  is  upon  Him.  Everything  is  perfectly  silent. 
Taking  the  five  barley  loaves  in  His  hand,  and 
the  two  small  fishes,  He  lifted  His  eyes  to  heaven 
and  blessed  the  food  and  then  began  to  break  the 
loaves  and  fishes  and  as  He  did  so  the  fragments 
multiplied  as  they  passed  through  His  divine 
hands  until  there  was  before  Him  a  great  heap  of 
fragments  both  of  bread  and  fish.  He  then  gave 


7<-  IM  MANUEL. 

these  to  His  disciples  commanding  .them  to  dis- 
tribute to  the  multitude.  They  did  so  and  the 
entire  multitude  ate  and  was  satisfied.  Bar-elah 
and  Eliab  both  ate  of  the  bread  and  fish  and  as 
they  did  so  looked  at  one  another  in  astonishment. 

"What  wonderful  thing  will  He  do  next 
Elah?"  asked  Eliab  in  his  amazement. 

Bar-elah  only  shook  his  head.  He  was  as 
much  astonished  as  was  Eliab.  After  the  multi- 
tude had  been  fully  satisfied,  it  was  seen  that  a 
large  pile  of  fragments  remained. 

"Gather  up  the  fragments  that  remain,"  com- 
manded Jesus  of  his  disciples,  "that  nothing  be 
lost,"  and  they  filled  twelve  baskets  with  the  frag- 
ments that  remained. 

"How  strange,"  thought  Bar-elah,"  that  One 
who  can  produce  bread  at  his  will,  would  bother 
to  save  the  fragments."  But  this  was  another 
evidence  of  His  greatness,  for  He  wastes  nothing. 

Jesus  directed  His  disciples  to  take  a  boat 
and  cross  the  sea  to  Bethsaida  while  He  dismissed 
the  multitude.  Slowly  the  throng  dispersed  and 
Jesus  withdrew  to  a  quiet  place  to  pray.  Bar— 
elah  and  Eliab  went  back  to  Capernaum  to  spend 
a  few  days.  Before  the  disciples  had  reached  the 


1MMANUEL.  7, 

other  side,  they  saw  a  new  evidence  of  His  power. 
The,  little  boat  in  which  the  disciples  were,  was 
tossed  about  furiously  by  the  wind  that  had 
arisen.  Suddenly  they  saw  one  approaching  them, 
walking  upon  the  water.  They  were  troubled, 
thinking  it  to  be  a  spirit,  but  all  fears  subsided 
when  they  heard  the  familiar  voice  of  Jesus  say- 
ing to  them  : 

"It  is  I ;  be  not  afraid." 

In  Gennesaret  He  healed  many  sick,  and 
preached  the  gospel  to  the  multitudes  that 
thronged  about  Him. 

The  next  day,  the  multitude  that  had  been 
fed,  took  shipping  to  Capernaum.  They  found 
Jesus  there  in  the  Synagogue  and  began  at  once 
to  question  Him.  Our  two  young  men  were  near 
at  hand  and  heard  all  that  was  said. 

"Ye  seek  me,-  not  because  ye  saw  the  miracles, 
but  because  ye  did  eat  of  the  loaves,  and  were 
filled,"  said  Jesus  to  the  multitude.  "Labor  not 
for  the  meat  which  perisheth,  but  for  that  meat 
which  endure tli  unto  everlasting  life,  which  the 
Son  of  man  shall  give  unto  you." 

Other  very  blessed  and  gracious  words  fell 
from  his  lips.  Said  he  ; 


yr  IM  MANUEL. 

"My  Father  giveth  you  the  true  bread  from 
heaven.  For  the  bread  of  God  is  he  which  cometh 
down  from  heaven,  and  giveth  life  unto  the  world. 
%  ^  I  am  the  bread  of  life.  ^  #  This  is  the 
bread  which  cometh  down  from  heaven,  that  a 
man  may  eat  thereof,  and  not  die." 

These  words  ^and  the  many  others  He  spoke, 
astonished  the  multitude.  They  could  not  under- 
stand how  they  could  eat  of  the  bread  of  which 
He  spoke.  Eliab  though  felt  that  he  could  under- 
stand the  Christ,  at  least  to  some  extent,  for  he 
realized  that  his  own  soul  had  been  satisfied  by 
this  One  who  called  Himself  "the  bread  of  life." 


CHAPTER    IX. 


time  for  the  Feast  of  Tabernacles  drew 
near.  Again  every  road  leading  to  Jerusa- 
lem was  crowded  with  pilgrims.  Jesus  and  His 
disciples  were  among  those  who  went  up  to  the 
Feast.  Bar-elah  and  Eliab  also. 

Six  months  had  passed  since  the  discourse  at 
Capernaum,  when  Jesus  announced  Himself  as 
the  Bread  of  Life.  During  that  time  He 
with  His  disciples,  and  followed  by  a  great  mul- 
titude of  people,  Bar-elah  and  Eliab  being  in  the 
throng,  —  He  with  these  had  journeyed  through 
the  region  about  Tyre  and  Sidon,  Ceesarea  Philip- 
pi,  through  Galilee  and  Samaria. 

Near  Tyre  and  Sidon  He  had  healed  the 
daughter  of  a  Syrophcenician  woman.  This  one 
had  been  tormented  with  a  devil.  The  mother 
had  come  to  Jesus  for  help,  beseeching  Him  to 
heal  her  daughter.  When  Jesus  saw  her  faith  He 
said  unto  her:  UO  woman,  great  is  thy  faith;  be 


77  IMMANUEL. 

it  unto  thee  even  as  thou  wilt,"  and  forthwith  her 
daughter  was  healed. 

Near  the  Sea  of  Galilee,  Jesus  went  up  into  a 
mountain.  Many  who  were  sick  were  brought 
unto  Him  and  He  healed  them.  The  multitude 
numbered  four  thousand  men  besides  women  and 
children.  These  Jesus  fed  as  He  had  previously 
fed  the  five  thousand,  producing  food  miraculously 
for  them. 

At  Bethsaida  Jesus  healed  one  who  had  been 
blind. 

While  in  the  region  of  Cresarea  Philippi,  Jesus 
in  speaking  to  His  disciples  told  them  of  His  ap- 
proaching death  and  resurrection.  He  told  them 
He  must  needs  go  up  to  Jerasulem  and  there  suffer 
many  things  and  be  put  to  death — but  after  that 
He  would  rise  again.  These  are  the  words  He 
had  used : 

"The  Son  of  man  must  suffer  many  things, 
and  be  rejected  of  the  elders  and  chief  priests  and 
scribes,  and  be  slain,  and  be  raised  the  third  day." 

Some  eight  days  after  this  Jesus  took  some  of 

His  disciples  up  into  a  mountain,  to  pray.     While 

praying  He    was    transfigured    before    them,  His 

ountenance  shone  and  His  raiment  was  changed 


1MMANUEL.  78 

until  it  too,  seemed  to  shine.  While  thus  trans- 
figured two,  having  the  appearance  of  Moses  and 
Elias,  talked  with  Him. 

While  at  Capernaum  Jesus  miraculously  pro- 
vided the  tribute  money  needed  by  Himself  and 
Peter.  He  directed  Peter  to  go  to  the  sea  and 
there  he  was  to  take  the  first  fish  caught  and  in  its 
mouth  would  be  found  the  money.  Peter  did  as 
commanded  and  found  all  as  Jesus  had  said. 

From  Capernaum  Jesus  sent  out  seventy  dis- 
ciples to  do  work  for  Him.  These  He  first  fully 
instructed  as  to  what  they  should  do  and  say.  To 
them  He  gave  the  power  to  heal  the  sick  and  to 
cast  out  devils. 

After  these  things  He  departed  from  Galilee 
to  go  up  to  Jerusalem  to  attend  the  Feast  of 
Tabernacles.  As  He  went  through  Samaria, 
when  He  came  to  a  certain  village,  ten  lepers  came 
to  him.  They  did  not  come  near  to  Him  as  did 
some  of  the  others  whom  He  cleansed,  but  stood, 
at  a  distance  and  cried  with  a  loud  voice  :  "Jesus, 
Master,  have  mercy  on  us."  One  of  the  men  was 
a  Samaritan,  would  Jesus  cleanse  him,  too  ?  He 
was  one  of  those  who  had  cried  out  for  mercy. 
Oh !  what  a  pitiful  sight  they  were  as  they  stood 


yg  I  MM  A  NU  E  L. 

afar  off,  afraid  to  come  near  lest  the}'  might  defile 
the  Christ!  Afraid  to  approach  any  man,  con- 
stantly crying  out,  "Unclean,  unclean,"  as  they 
went  about,  to  warn  the  people  that  they  might 
not  come  near  them.  This  is  the  question  Bar- 
elah  and  Eliab  were  asking  themselves.  Listen  ; 
it  is  Jesus  who  speaks: 

"Go  show  yourselves  unto  the  priests." 
And  they  went  and  were  cleansed.  But  one  of 
them  returns.  He  is  the  Samaritan.  What  is  it 
he  wants?  He  is  heard  to  spe'ak — he  is  giving 
glory  to  God  for  his  being  healed.  He  approaches 
Jesus,  falls  prostrate  at  His  feet,  pouring  forth  his 
thanks  as  he  does  so.  "Were  there  not  ten 
cleansed?"  Asked  Jesus.  "But  where  are  the 
nine?  There  are  not  found  that  returned  to  give 
glory  to  God,  save  this  stranger," — he  being  a 
Samatitan,  "Arise,  go  thy  way  ;  thy  Ruth  hath 
made  thee  whole." 

Those  who  saw  it  marvelled.  Jesus  sought 
to  go  privately  to  Jerusalem  and  but  a  small 
number  were  now  with  Him.  Bar-elali  and  Eliab 
had  both  managed  to  keep  near  Him  and  were,  in 
fact,  able  at  times  to  come  closer  to  Him  for  the 
people  did  not  throng  Him  as  before.  The  nearer 


1MMAAUEL.  g0 

they  came  the  greater  the  influences  they  felt, 
from  His  divine,  His  sacred  person. 

They  draw  nigh  to  Jerusalem.  In  the  dis- 
tance they  could  see  the  walls  of  the  Holy  City. 

"We  shall  soon  be  there  Elah,"  said  Eliab. 

"Oh !  Eliab,  I  feel  as  though  I  cannot  take 
another  step !  I  am  feeling  so  sick  again  and  my 
feet  are  so  sore."  And  poor  Bar-elah  did  look 
about  worn  out.  Eliab  had  noticed  this  in  his 
friend  but  thought  it  was  from  the  excitement 
and  that  when  they  reached  Jerusalem  he  would 
be  alright. 

"I  must  stop  here  Eliab  and  lie  down.  Oh  1 
I'm  so  sick,"  and  Bar-elah  fell  in  a  faint.  Eliab 
soon  brought  him  to.  He  spread  his  cloak  out  for 
him  and  laid  him  on  it. 

"Shall  I  call  Jesus,  Elah?"  asked  Eliab, 

"Yes,"  gasped  Bar-elah.  When  the  Christ 
came,  seeing  EliaVs  faith,  He  put  forth  His  hand 
and  touched  Bar— elah  and  immediately  he  was 
made  well  and  arose. 

"Oh !  that  that  sacred  touch  would  awaken  a 
response  in  my  boy's  heart,"  said  Eliab  within 
himself.  Bar-elah  did  look  thoughtful. 

"Oh  !  Eliab,  I'm  so  full  of  iniquity,  it   hardly 


gj  I  Af  MANUEL. 

seerns  right  to  have  allowed  the  Christ  to  have  put 
his  hol}^  hand  upon  me  for  fear  of  his  becoming 
defiled." 

"Let  Him  cleanse  your  soul  my  boy.  Ask 
Him  to  speak  the  word  of  forgiveness,"  said  Eliab. 
Bar-elah  said  nothing. 


Jerusalem  looked  bright  and  full  of  life.  The 
City  was  crowded.  Long  before  the  bo}^s  had 
reached  the  city  gate  they  began  to  meet  ac- 
quaintances among  the  crowds  they  met.  In 
some  way  they  lost  track  of  Jesus. 

The  streets  of  the  City  were  lined  with  booths 
made  of  the  branches  of  trees.  In  the  temple 
court  these  booths  were  to  be  seen.  On  the  roofs 
of  the  houses,  also.  In  these  the  people  lived 
during  the  feast.  This  festival  was  kept  to  com- 
memorate the  forty  years  wanderings  of  their  fore- 
fathers in  the  wilderness  before  entering  into 
Canaan.  It  was  also  kept  as  a  season  of  thanks- 
giving for  the  ingathering  of  the  harvest. 

The  City  presented  a  very  beautiful  appear- 
ance with  its  many  booths.  Bar-elah  and  Eliab 
found  the  people  happy  and  gay  all  of  them  busy 


IMMANUEL.  82 

getting  ready  for  the  first  day  of  the  feast  which 
was  a  Sabbath  to  the  Lord.  The  boys  went  at 
once  to  the  home  where  they  had,  with  their 
families,  celebrated  the  Passover.  There  they 
found  both  families  again  enjoying  the  hospitality 
of  Eliab's  uncle. 

That  evening  the  two  boys  were  kept  busy 
relating  their  wonderful  experiences  while  follow,- 
ing  Jesus  from  place  to  place.  Eliab's  mother 
knew  before  of  her  boy's  faith  in  this  One  and  his 
joy  in  believing  and  now  that  he  was  with  her  she 
could  see  that  he  had,  indeed,  experienced  rich 
things. 

"And  you  really  believe,  Eliab,  that  this 
One  is  the  long-looked-for  Messiah  of  the  Jews  ?" 
she  asked. 

"I  know  it,  mother." 


CHAPTER    X 


N  Jerusalem  the  people  sought  for  Jesus    and 

"C    ) 

to"  found  Him  in  the  temple,  where  He  taught 
them.  They  were  all  astonished  at  His  teaching 
and  learning.  His  doctrines  were  so  different 
from  many  of  theirs. 

Evidently  there  was  some  plot  to  put  Jesus  to 
death,    for    Bar-elah    was      astonished     beyond 
measure  by  overhearing  one  say  to  another : 
"Is  not  this  he,  whom  they  seek  to  kill?" 
"What,"   said    Bar-elah    when    he   had  com- 
municated this  to  Eliab,  "seeking  to  kill    the   one 
who    has    healed    me?     Not  if  I  can  prevent  it." 
Both  boys  felt  almost    terrified  for    the    time,    for 
even  then  the    chief  priests    and    the   Pharisees 
sought  to  take  Him. 


The  close  of  the  feast  drew    nigh.     All   were 
looking  forward  to  the  last    day,    which    was    the 


1  M M A  A  UEL. 


84 


great  day  of  all.  Everybody  seemed  to  have  had 
a  blessed  time  but  looked  to  this  great  day  as  be- 
ing the  best. 

The  day  dawned.  Our  two  young  men  were 
out  early.'  The  streets  of  the  Holy  City  were  alive 
with  people.  Bar-elah  and  Eliab  were  going 
towards  the  temple.  It  was  a  warm  day  and  the 
multitudes  were  very  thirsty.  Suddenly  a  voice 
was  heard  above  the  noise  made  by  the  crowd, 
Bar-elah  heard  it  and  these,  are  the  words  he 
heard : 

"If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come  unto  me 
and  drink." 

"Oh,"  said  Bar-elah  to  Eliab,  "only  some  one 
trying  to  call  attention  to  his  wares" — and  yet 
that  thought  did  not  stay  with  him  long  when  he 
remembered  the  day,  it  being  a  sacred  day,  and 
also  the  place.  The  next  words  he  heard  told 
him  he  was  mistaken  : 

"Be  that  believeth  on  me,  as  the  Scripture 
hath  said,  out  of  his  belly  shall  flow  rivers  of  liv- 
ing water." 

"What  strange  doctrine  is  this  Eiah?"  asked 
Eliab  as  the  two  boys  gently  pushed  their  way 
through  the  crowd  with  the  hope  of  being  able  to 


gr  IMMANUEL. 

see  the  one  whose  voice  they  had  heard. 

"Why  Eliab,"  said  Bar-elah  when   he  caught 
sight  of  the  face — "it  is  Jesus." 


The  feast  was  over.  Slowly  the  crowds  dis- 
persed as  the  people  wended  their  ways  homeward. 

The  next  day,  in  the  temple,  one  who  had 
been  a  great  sinner,  was  brought  to  Jesus.  This 
one  was  brought  by  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  for 
they  had  hoped  to  lay  a  snare  for  the  Christ,  that 
they  might  catch  Him  and  put  Him  to  death. 
Jesus  knew  their  hearts  and  thoughts.  The 
Pharisees  and  Scribes  questioned  Him,  tempting 
Him.  Looking  upon  them  and  then  upon  the 
woman  He  said: 

"He  that  is  without  sin  among  you,  let  him 
first  cast  a  stone  at  her,"  for  they  had  asked  Him 
if  she  ought  be  stoned  to  death  because  of  her 
sin.  They  answered  Him  not  a  word.  Nor  did 
any  cast  a  stone,  but  quietly,  one  by  one  they  went 
out,  realizing  that  a  beam  was  in  their  own  eyes 
as  well  as  the  woman's.  Their  consciences  con- 
victed them.  When  they  had  all  gone  out  Jesus 
forgave  the  woman  of  her  great  sin  and  bid  her 


IMMANUEL.  35 

"go,  and  sin  no  more."  When  the  people  came 
together  abont  Him  again  He  said  to  them  : 

"I  am  the  light  of  the  world :  he  that  followeth 
me  shall  not  walk  in  darkness,  but  shall  have  the 
light  of  life. 

"Ye  are  from  beneath  ;  I  am  from  above:  ye 
are  of  this  world;  I  am  not  of  this  world.  I  said 
therefore  unto  you,  that  ye  shall  die  in  your  sins ; 
for  if  ye  believe  not  that  I  am  he,  ye  shall  die  in 
your  sins." 

And  many  other  things  did  He  speak  unto 
them  as  He  taught  in  the  temple,  and  many  of 
the  Jews  believed  on  Him  because  of  these  sayings. 

To  those  who  believed  He  said : 

"If  ye  continue  in  my  word,  then  are  ye  my 
disciples  indeed  ;  and  ye  shall  know  the  truth,  and 
the  truth  shall  make  you  free." 

And  to  those  Jews  who  sought  to  destroy 
Him,  He  said: 

"But  now  ye  seek  to  kill  me,  a  man  that  hath 
told  you  the  truth,  which  I  have  heard  of  God." 

Bar-elah  and  Eliab  looked  at  one  another  in 
wonder. 

"Surely,"  said  Eliab,  "He  must  know  of  all 
their  plans." 


g7  IM MANUEL. 

"If  a  man  keep  my  saying,"  continued  Jesus, 
"he  shall  never  see  death." 

Upon  hearing  this  the  Jews  charged  Him 
with  having  a  devil,  because,  said  they,  Abraham 
and  the  prophets  all  saw  death.  These  Jews  be- 
came indignant  and  full  of  wrath  and  took  up 
stones  to  hurl  at  Him.  Bar-elan  quickly  grasped 
the  arm  of  one  who  stood  next  him,  in  whose  hand 
was  a  stone  ready  to  be  thrown. 

"He  speaks  the  truth."  said  Bar-elah. 

Quietly  Jesus  withdrew  Himself  from  the 
temple,  passing  through  the  midst  of  the  excited 
Jews. 

A  little  later  Jesus  spoke  the  parable  of  the 
good  Samaritan,  telling  how  a  certain  man  fell 
among  thieves  who  used  him  shamefully  and  then 
left  him,  torn  and  bleeding  and  wounded,  by  the 
wayside.  A  priest  happened  by  but  would  not 
help  the  suffering  one.  Then  a  Levite  came 
along,  and  he  too,  neglected  to  aid  the  wounded 
man;  but  finally  a  poor,  despised,  hated  Samaritan 
came  along  and  his  heart  was  filled  with  pity  and 
he  straightway  dressed  his  wounds  and  put  him 
upon  his  beast  and  cared  for  him.  Jesus  spoke 
this  parable  to  teach  a  certain  lawyer  who  had 


IMMAhUEL.  gg 

temptingly  asked  Him  certain  questions,  who  his 
neighbor  was  for  this  one  had  said  to  Jesus : 

"And  who  is  niy  neighbor  ?" 

After  this  Jesus  went  to  Bethany  where  He 
abode  a  short  time.  That  night  Bar-elah  and 
Eliab  remained  in  Jerusalem  still  enjoying  the 
hospitality  of  the  uncle. 

"Elah,"  said  Eliab  after  they  had  finished  the 
evening  meal,  "suppose  we  abide  here  a  few  days. 
I  desire  to  learn  something  more  if  I  can  about  the 
plot  these  priests  and  scribes  have  in  mind,  where- 
by they  hope  to  destroy  Jesus." 

"Alright,  Eliab,"  said  Bar-elah. 

On  the  morning  they  set  out  to  learn  what 
they  could.  As  they  walked  along  the  street 
they  saw  quite  a  crowd  upon  one  of  the  corners. 
They  recognized  several  as  being  scribes  and 
Pharisees.  They  drew  near  and  found  they  were 
discussing  the  Christ. 

"This  man  makes  himself  equal  with  God. 
He  blasphemes.  He  is  worthy  of  death,"  said 
one  excited  scribe. 

"He  is  turning  the  heads  of  the  people,"  said 
another. 

"His  doctrine  is  dangerous  to  our  law,"   said 


89 


IM MA  NUE  L. 


a  self-righteous,  pompous  looking  old  Pharisee. 

And  these  and  the  other  accusations  brought, 
they  considered  as  sufficient  to  warrant  His  being 
put  to  death. 

Bar-elah  and  Eliab  were  silent.  They  knew 
not  whether  to  speak  or  keep  silence.  As  they 
left  the  crowd,  Bar-elah  spoke  : 

"Oh !  Eliab,  what  can  we  do !  It  seems  an 
outrage  that  these  hard-hearted  Jews  should  be 
plotting  against  this  One  who  seems  so  pure  and 
who  has  done  such  wondrous  things.  What  can 
we  do?" 

"I'm  sure  I  don't  know,  Elah.  But  see  how 
He  passed  through  the  midst  of  them  when  they 
sought  to  stone  Him  and  how  He  has  escaped  out 
of  their  hands.  Perhaps  it  would  be  so  when  they 
seek  to  kill  Him,  Elah." 


CHAPTER    XI. 

ESUS  had  returned  to  Jerusalem.  The 
seventy  whom  He  had  sent  out  two  by  two 
had  returned.  One  who  had  been  born  blind  had 
been  healed  so  that  he  saw  as  perfectly  as  any 
one.  Jesus  had  said  in  answer  to  a  question  from 
His  disciples ;  asked  before  He  had  healed  the 
man  : 

"Neither  hath  this  man  sinned,  nor  his  par- 
ents ;  but  that  the  works  of  God  should  be  made 
manifest  in  him." 

When  Jesus  had  made  an  ointment  of  clay 
and  spittle  and  put  it  upon  his  eyes,  He  bade  the 
man  go  wash  in  Siloam.  He  did  as  commanded 
and  at  once  could  see.  This  was  done  on  the 
Sabbath  and  the  Pharisees  thought  they  had 
another  crime  to  charge  against  Jesus. 

After  this,  in  His  discourse,  Jesus  said : 

"Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  He  that 
entereth  not  by  the  door  into  the  sheepfold,  but 


QI  IM  MANUEL. 

climbeth  up  some  other  way,  the  same  is  a  thief 
and  a  robber.  But  he  that  entereth  in  by  the 
door  is  the  shepherd  of  the  sheep.  To  him  the 
porter  openeth  ;  and  the  sheep  hear  his  voice  ;  and 
he  calleth  his  own  sheep  by  name,  and  leadeth 
them  out.  And  when  he  putteth  forth  his  own 
sheep,  he  goeth  before  them,  and  the  sheep  follow 
him  :  for  they  know  his  voice.  And  a  stranger 
will  they  not  follow,  but  will  flee  from  him  ;  for 
they  know  not  the  voice  of  strangers." 

"Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  I  am  the  door 
of  the  sheep.  All  that  ever  came  before  me  are 
thieves  and  robbers:  but  the  sheep  did  not  hear 
them.  I  am  the  door:  by  me  if  any  man  enter  in, 
he  shall  be  saved,  and  shall  go  in  and  out,  and 
find  pasture.  The  thief  cometh  not,  but  for  to 
steal,  and  to  kill,  and  destroy  :  I  am  come  that 
they  might  have  life,  and  that  they  might  have  it 
more  abundantly.  I  am  the  good  shepherd  ;  the 
good  shepherd  giveth  his  life  for  the  sheep." 

Bar-elah  and  Eliab,  heard  these  words.  Eliab 
understood  them  but  Bar-elah  did  not.  As  they 
went  forth  from  the  presence  of  Jesus,  they  saw 
Eliphaz  who  had  come  from  Capernaum  to  be 
present  at  Jerusalem  at  the  feast  of  dedication. 


JMMAAUEL.  92 

"O,  Eliphaz,"  called  Bar-elan  when  he  and 
Eliab  got  within  speaking  distance.  Eliphaz 
knew  the  voice  and  turned.  His  face  was  radiant. 
To  Bar-elah  it  was  more  attractive  than  ever. 
His  countenance  spoke  of  joy  within. 

"I've  entered  through  the  door  into  the  fold, 
friend  Eliab,"  were  the  first  words  El|phaz  spoke. 

"Give  God  the  glory,"  was  Eliab's  response. 
Bar-elah  silently  grasped  the  hand  of  Eliphaz. 
"You  must  come  and  abide  with  us  Eliphaz,"  said 
Eliab.  He  gladly  went  with  them.  Upon  the 
house-top  that  night  they  had  a  long  and  earnest 
talk — Eliab  and  Eliphaz  telling  of  the  wondrous 
joy  that  they  had  found.  Bar-el'ah  was  deeply 
impressed  with  what  he  heard  from  the  boys  and 
found  himself  longing  for  the  same  experiences  of 
joy  and  peace,  they  seemed  to  have. 

The  Feast  of  Dedication  was  a  time  of  great 
rejoicing,  commemorating  the  re-dedication  of  the 
sacred  temple,  after  its  terrible  defilement  by  the 
wicked  Antiochus  Epiphanes. 

Jesus  and  His  disciples  attended  the  festival. 
One  clay  the  Jews  after  asking  Him  questions, 
took  up  stones  ready  to  stone  Him  to  death ;  but 
He  escaped  from  them  and  went  to  Bethany,  be- 


Q~  IM MANUEL. 

yond  Jordan,  where  He  abode. 

Bar-elan,  Eliab  and  Eliphaz  heard  that  He  was 
there  and  forthwith,  they  too,  went  to  Bethany. 

In  this  town  one  named  Lazarus  lay  sick. 
This  one  was  loved  by  Jesus.  The  sisters  of  this 
man,  Mary  and  Martha,  sent  to  Jesus,  saying: 

"Lord,  behold,  he  whom  thou  lovest   is  sick." 

They  thought  He  would  straightway  come 
and  heal  their  brother  but  He  abode  where  He 
was  two  days,  and  then  returned  to  Judaea.  After 
this  He  said  to  His  disciples : 

"Our  friend  Lazarus  sleepeth  ;  but  I  go,  that 
I  may  awake  him  out  of  sleep." 

So  Jesus  went,  and  His  disciples  with  Him. 
Bar-elah,  Eliab  and  Eliphaz  were  still  in  Bethany 
having  remained  there  when  Jesus  went  into 
Judaea.  As  Jesus  and  His  disciples  drew  nigh 
unto  Bethany  Martha  the  sister  of  Lazarus  went 
forth  to  meet  Him.  When  she  met  Him  she  said  : 

"Lord,  if  thou  hadst  been  here,  my  brother 
had  not  died.  But  I  know,  that  even  now,  what- 
soever thou  wilt  ask  of  God,  God  will  give  it  thee." 

Jesus  answered  her  saying: 

"Thy  brother  shall  rise  again." 

"  I  know  that  he  shall  rise  again,"  said   Mar- 


1MMANUEL.  g, 

tha,  uin  the  resurrection  at  the  last  day." 

"  I,  "  answered  Jesus,  "am  the  resurrection 
and  the  life  :  he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he 
were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live ;  and  whosoever 
liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never  die." 

Soon  after  Mary  heard  from  Martha,  who  had 
returned  to  the  house,  that  Jesus  was  coming  and 
so  she  went  out  to  meet  Him.  Many  Jews  also 
followed  thinking  she  was  going  to  the  tomb  to 
weep.  Bar-elah,  Eiiab  and  Eliphaz  met  the  little 
company  and  joined  them,  not  knowing  what  it 
all  meant.  Soon  the  boys  saw  Jesus  approaching 
and  their  hearts  bounded  with  delight. 

"I'm  glad,"  said  Eliab,  "that  this  poor  woman 
is  going  to  Jesus  with  her  sorrow." 

Mary,  when  she  met  Jesus,  fell  at  His  feet, 
weeping  and  saying  as  Martha  had  before: 

"Lord,  if  thou  hadst  been  here,  my  brother 
had  not  died." 

The  whole  company  went  to  the  cave  in 
which  the  body  of  Lazarus  had  lain  for  four  days. 

Jesus  said : 

"Take  ye  away  the  stone,"  and  when  they 
had  done  so,  Jesus  cried  aloud  saying : 

"Lazarus,   come   forth,"  and  straightway  he 


QC  IM  MANUEL. 

came  forth. 

"Eliphaz,"  said  Bar— elah  who  with  his  two 
companions  had  witnessed  it  all,  uthis  is  more 
wonderful  than  the  raising  of  your  friend,  for  this 
one  had  been  dead  four  days.  Surely  this  Jesus 
must  be  of  God.  No  man  could  do  such  wonderful 
things  if  God  were  not  with  him." 

How  the  hearts  of  these  three  young  men 
would  have  ached  had  they  known  that  some  Jews, 
who  witnessed  this  miracle,  at  once  went  to  the 
Pharisees  and  told  them  all  about  it,  and  that 
these  Pharisees  and  the  chief  priests  at  once  coun- 
seled together  as  to  how  they  might  put  Jesus  to 
death  ! 

Bar-elah  and  Eliab  remained  in  Bethany 
some  days  and  later  spent  some  time  in  their  own 
village,  while  Jesus  and  His  disciples  went  into 
Ephraim  and  into  Persea. 

Great  multitudes  followed  the  Christ  into  the 
country  beyond  Jordan.  While  there  in  Persea 
one  Sabbath  He  healed  a  woman  who  for  eighteen 
years  had  suffered  greatly  and  was  bent  together 
so  that  she  could  not  stand  upright. 

Again  Jesus  set  His  face  towards  Jerusalem. 
And  as  He  went  He  taiight  the  people.  Many 


1  M  M  A  A  UE  L. 


96 


were  tlie  parables  He  uttered.  There  was  the 
one  of  the  lost  sheep,  speaking  of  the  efforts  made 
to  reclaim  any  that  may  be  lost,  and  the  joy  when 
the  lost  is  found,  and  ending  with  these  words: 

"I  say  unto  you,  that  likewise  joy  shall  be  in 
heaven  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth,  more  than 
over  ninety  and  nine  just  persons,  which  need  no 
repentance." 

Then  there  was  the  parable  of  the  lost  pieces 
of  silver,  teaching  the  same  truth.  Then  He 
spoke  the  parable  of  the  prodigal  son,  telling 
how  a  young  man  left  his  father's  house,  and  went 
into  a  distant  country  where  he  squandered  what 
he  had  and  then  in  his  poverty  and  need  became 
a  swine-herd,  a  task  most  degrading  to  a  Jew. 
The  poor  young  man  was  in  great  need  and  sought 
to  satisfy  his  hunger  on  the  husks  thrown  out  for 
the  swine.  Finally  he  thought  on  his  ways,  re- 
pented of  his  sin  and  set  his  face  towards  his 
father's  house.  There  he  was  received  with  a 
royal  welcome.  This  parable  was  to  teach  men 
the  course  of  the  sinner  and  the  welcome  and  for- 
giveness awaiting  him  in  the  Father's  house. 

There  was  the  parable  of  the  unjust  steward, 
followed  by  the  words: 


0~  IM MANUEL. 

"No  servant  can  serve  two  masters  :  for  either 
he  will  hate  the  one,  and  love  the  other;  or  else 
he  will  hold  to  the  one,  and  despise  the  other. 
Ye  cannot  serve  God  and  mammon." 

Then  He  spake  the  parable  of  the  rich  man 
and  Lazarus,  telling  of  the  suffering  in  hell  of  the 
one  who  was  sinful,  and  the  joy  and  felicity  of  the 
other  among  the  redeemed.  Many  other  teach- 
ings followed.  Large  numbers  of  children  were 
brought  to  Him  and  upon  these  He  put  His 
hands  and  blessed  them.  It  was  a  beautiful  sight 
to  behold.  There  sat  the  Great  Teacher,  sur- 
rounded by  those  who  had  brought  the  children 
to  Him.  One  by  one  He  would  take  these  pre- 
cious little  ones  up  into  His  arms  and  breathe  a 
blessing  upon  them. 

uHow  tender  and  loving,"  said  Eliab  to  Bar— 
eliah,  as  they  saw  the  Christ  do  this. 

As  Jesus  and  His  disciples,  Bar-elah  and 
Eliab,  among  them,  went  forth,  they  saw  one  ap- 
proaching in  the  distance.  He  seemed  to  be  in 
very  great  haste  as  he  was  running.  As  he  drew 
near  it  was  seen  that  he  was  a  young  man,  and  a 
ruler.  When  he  reached  Jesus  he  threw  himself 
on  the  ground  before  Him,  beseeching  Him  to  tell 


1MMANUEL.  gg 

him  what  he  must  do  to  have  eternal  life.  Jesus 
told  him  to  keep  the  commandments.  These,  he 
said,  he  had  kept  from  his  youth  up,  but  realizing 
that  this  was  not  sufficient  and  that  there  was 
more  for  him  to  do  he  asked  Jesus  this  question, 
"what  lack  I  yet?"  and  Jesus  seeing  the  lack  and 
that  the  yoiing  man,  who  was  rich,  was  to  some 
extent  selfish,  He  said  to  him: 

"Go  and  sell  that  thou  hast,  and  give  to  the 
poor,  and  thou  shalt  have  treasure  in  heaven : 
and  come  and  follow  me." 

Bat  the  young  man  turned  away  grieved, 
prefering  to  keep  his  great  riches  for  his  own  use, 
than  do  as  Jesus  directed  and  thus  obtain  eternal 
life. 

Jesus  continued  to  speak  to  the  people  in 
parables.  On  the  way  up  to  Jerusalem  He  again 
foretold  His  death  and  resurrection,  to  His  twelve 
disciples,  saying  to  them: 

"Behold,  we  go  up  to  Jerusalem;  and  the  Son 
of  man  shall  be  betrayed  unto  the  chief  priests 
and  unto  the  scribes,  and  they  shall  condemn  him 
to  death,  and  shall  deliver  him  to  the  Gentiles  to 
mock,  and  to  scourge,  and  to  crucify  him:  and  the 
third  day  he  shall  rise  again." 


99  IM  MANUEL. 

Bar-elali  had  had  word  from  his  father  which 
made  it  necessary  for  him  to  go  to  his  home  at 
once.  He  did  so,  accompanied  by  Eliab.  The 
business  matter  was  soon  settled. 

uElah,  I  just  heard  on  the  street  that  Jesus 
is  on  His  way  to  Jerusalem  and  if  we  hurry  we 
will  be  in  time  to  meet  Him  in  Jericho,"  said 
Eliab  to  his  friend. 

"Alright,  Eliab,  let  us  haste  to  Jericho." 

They  at  once  set  out  and  reached  the  city 
just  as  Jesus  and  His  disciples,  followed  by  a 
very  great  multitude,  were  leaving.  The 
two  young  men  went  with  them.  As  they  left  the 
city  they  saw  old  blind  Bartimaeus  sitting  by  the 
wayside  begging.  This  one  when  he  heard  that 
Jesus  was  passing  cried  out  to  Him  for  mercy  and 
the  Christ  opened  his  eyes.  , 

While  in  Jericho,  as  Jesus  and  the  multitude 
that  pressed  about  Him,  were  passing  along  the 
street  of  the  city,  Jesus  looked  up  into  a  syca- 
more tree  growing  along  side  the  road  and  there 
saw  one  named  Zacchseus,  a  rich  man,  one  of  the 
chief  publicans,  who,  because  of  his  smallness  of 
stature,  had  climbed  into  the  tree  that  he  might 
see  Jesus.  As  Jesus  passed  He  called  to  Zac- 


1  M  MA  A  UEL.  -100 

chseus,  saying  that  He  desired  to  abide  at  his 
house.  Zacchseus  received  his  divine  guest  gladly, 
and  received  salvation. 

Before  going  to  Jerusalem.  Jesus  spent  a  little 
time  in  the  home  of  Lazarus.  Bar-elah  and  Eliab 
went  on  to  Jerusalem.  There  the  people  were 
busy  preparing  for  the  passover,  for  there  were 
but  six  days  remaining  before  the  feast. 

Just  as  Eliab  had  finished  his  evening  meal, 
Bar-elah  came  into  the  room  all  excitement. 

"Eliab,"  said  he,  "come  up  stairs  I  want  to 
tell  you  something." 

They  went  up  to  the  house-top.  Eliab  won- 
dered what  was  troubling  his  companion. 

"Could  you  believe  it  Eliab,"  said  Bar-elah 
as  soon  as  they  were  alone,  "those  Pharisees  and 
chief  priests  are  planning  to  take  Jesus  as  soon  as 
he  enters  the  city,  and  put  him  to  death  !  I  just 
discovered  the  plot.  It  is  quite  well  known  among 
the  scribes  and  I  overheard  them  counselling  to- 
gether. They  didn't  know  I  was  around.  What 
can  we  do  Eliab?" 

"My  dear  Elah,  I've  no  idea  what  to  do," 
said  Eliab. 

"He  ought  not  to  die,  Eliab,"  was  Bar-elah's 
response. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

%S 

V  pjjpon  the  first  day  of  the  week,  Bar-elah  and 
^Ov  Eliab  arose  early  and,  after  the  morning 
meal,  went  to  the  temple.  They  remained  there 
but  a  short  time  and  then  walked  about  the  city 
some.  As  they  slowly  walked  along  they  were 
met  by  quite  a  multitude  of  people,  some  of  them 
carrying  branches  of  palms.  The  throng  was 
hastening  towards  the  gate  of  the  City. 

"What  can  this  mean,  Elah  ?"  asked  Eliab. 

"I'm  sure  I  can't  imagine  Eliab,  let  us  follow 
them  and  see,"  answered  Bar-elah. 

And  so  the  two  young  men  joined  the  throng. 
Bar-elah  walked  alongside  of  a  young  man  of  his 
own  age. 

"Where  is  this  multitude  going  and  what 
mean  the  palm  branches?"  asked  Bar-elah  of 
this  one. 

"We  are  going  forth  from  the  Cit}'  to  meet 
Jesus  of  Nazareth,  the  Christ  of  God,"  was  the 


1MMANUEL.  I02 

young  man's  reply.  "He  is  approaching  the  City. 
We  have  heard  His  wonderful  teachings  and  seen 
His  mighty  works,  and  believe  Him  to  be  the 
Messias." 

Bar-elah  looked  at  Eliab.     The  latter  said: 

"Yes,  and  I  too,  believe   in   Him." 

The  multitude  went  forth  from  the  City.  In 
a  short  time  a  multitude  was  seen  approaching 
them.  In  the  lead  was  one  sitting  upon  the  colt 
of  an  ass.  When  they  drew  nearer  Eliab  was 
quick  to  recognize  the  One  who  rode,  as  Jesus  the 
Christ. 

"There  He  is  Elah,  riding  upon  the  ass," 
said  Eliab.  Elah  looked. 

"Yes,  Eliab,  that  is  he."  The  multitudes  met. 
There  was  great  rejoicing.  The  whole  company, 
waiving  the  branches  of  palms,  began  to  praise 
and  to  glorify  God,  saying : 

"Hosanna  to  the  son  of  David  :  Blessed  is 
he  that  cometh  in  the  name  of  the  Lord;  Hosanna 
in  the  highest." 

Many  spread  their  garments  before  the  Christ 
that  He  might  ride  over  them.  Others  of  the 
great  multitude  scattered  palm  branches  in  the 
way.  One  multitude  went  before  Him  and  one 


io3 


IM MA  NUE  L. 


behind  Him.  They  followed  Him  into  the  city 
waving  their  palm  branches  and  singing  their 
hosannas  to  God.  There  was  great  rejoicing. 
Our  two  young  men  mingled  their  voices  with  the 
rest.  Eliab  sang  with  all  his  heart  and  he  noticed 
that  his  Elah  sang  as  heartily  as  any.  Before 
they  entered  the  City,  however,  when  they  came 
near  it,  Jesus  wept  over  it  because  of  the  unbelief 
of  the  people  and  that  which  would  come  upon  the 
City  in  time  to  come. 

As  the  demonstrative  multitude  entered  the 
Holy  City,  the  people  of  the  City  were  filled 
with  wonder  and  many  asked: 

"Who  is  this?" 

Those  in  the  multitude  answered,  saying : 

"This  is  Jesus  the  prophet  of  Nazareth  of 
Galilee." 

All  this  only  vexed  the  unbelieving  Phari- 
sees the  more.  They  were  filled  with  wrath, 
saying  among  themselves : 

"Perceive  ye  how  ye  prevail  nothing?  behold, 
the  world  is  gone  after  him."  They  were  the 
more  determined  to  kill  Him.  That  night  He 
went,  with  the  twelve,  to  Bethany  and  abode  there. 
On  the  morrow  He  returned  to  Jerusalem  and 


JMMAAUEL. 


went  at  once  to  the  temple.  There  He  found  those 
that  bought  and  sold  and  thus  made  the  place  an 
house  of  merchandise.  These  He  cast  out,  saying 
as  He  did  so  : 

"It  is  written,  My  house  shall  be  called  the 
house  of  prayer;  but  ye  have  made  it  a  den  of 
thieves." 

.  Many  who  were  sick  and  lame  and  blind  came 
to  Him  in  the  temple  and  He  healed  them  all. 
This  was  on  the  second  day  of  the  week.  Towards 
even  Jesus  and  the  twelve  went  again  to  Bethany. 

The  next  morning,  Bar-elah  and  Eliab,  be- 
fore they  arose,  began  to  discuss  their  plans  for 
the  day. 

"I  think  Elah,"  said  Eliab,  "that  we  had  bet- 
ter watch  at  the  City  gate  for  Jesus,  when  He 
shall  return  from  Bethany,  and  then  keep  close 
to  Him  all  the  day.  He  probably  will  spend 
much  time  in  the  temple." 

"That  would  be  a  good  plan  Eliab,"  said  Bar- 
elah. 

"My  dear  Elah,"  said  Eliab  after  a  little,  as 
he  drew  his  friend  to  him,  "will  you  not  accept 
Jesus  as  your  own  Lord  and  Master  that  you  too, 
may  be  His?" 


I0r  rM  M  A  NU E  L. 

"Eliab,"  said  Bar-elah  in  response  as  he 
slipped  his  arm  about  the  one  the  power  and  in- 
fluences of  whose  love  he  had  long  felt,  and  whom 
he  acknowledged  to  be  his  best  friend,  "I  know 
I  am  not  what  I  ought  to  be,  but,  Eliab,  I  mean 
from  this  time  forth  to  leave  off  some  of  my  bad 
habits.  You  know  what  they  are.  I  mean  to 
live  a  different  life  from  what  I  heretofore  have 
lived.  Truly,  Eliab,  since  you  and  I  have  been 
following  this  Jesus  around,  my  conscience  has 
been  troubling  me.  He  is  so  pure  that  one,  who 
is  impure,  cannot  help  but  feel  his  own  wicked- 
ness. I  have  felt  it  my  friend,  arid  I  mean  to  do 
better  and  I  know  you'll  help  me  to." 

"Indeed,  I  will  Elah  and  may  God  grant  you 
His  favor  and  help,"  said  Eliab  out  of  a  full  heart. 

An  hour  later  the  two  boys  were  standing  to- 
gether at  the  City  gate  waiting  for  the  coming  of 
Jesus.  He  soon  arrived  accompanied  by  His  dis- 
ciples. The  boys  joined  them.  They  all  went  at 
once  into  the  temple.  There  He  taught  the  peo- 
ple, many  of  His  teachings  being  in  the  form  of 
parables. 

One  parable  that  impressed  Eliab  forcibly 
was  the  one  telling  of  the  husbandmen  to  whom  a 


1MMAAUEL.  I05 

vineyard  was  let.  To  these  the  householder  sent, 
at  the  proper  season,  to  receive  of  the  fruit,  but 
the  husbandmen  shamefully  used  the  servants 
who  had  been  sent,  even  killing  one  of  them.  The 
second  company  sent  was  treated  likewise.  Fin- 
ally the  householder  sent  his  own  beloved  son 
thinking  they  dare  not  use  him  despitefully,  but 
the  husbandmen  slew  him  also.  When  Jesus  had 
explained  the  parable  the  chief  priests  and  Phar- 
isees saw  clearly,  that  Fie  referred  to  them.  They 
became  so  angry  that  they  sought  to  lay  violent 
hands  on  Him.  but  they  feared  those  who  believed 
on  Him. 

The  parable  of  the  marriage  of  the  king's  son, 
followed.  The  Sadducees  sought  to  tempt  Him 
with  questions  about  tribute  to  Caesar  and  about 
the  resurrection,  but  He  soon  put  them  to  silence, 
so  that  they  dared  not  ask  Him  another  question. 
Then  the  Pharisees  came  forward  to  ensnare  him. 
One  of  them,  a  lawyer,  asked  Him  about  the  com- 
mandments— as  to  which  was  greatest.  Jesus 
answered,  "Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with 
all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all 
thy  mind.  This  is  the  first  and  great  command- 
ment. And  the  second  is  like  unto  it,  Thou  shalt 


I0y  IM  MANUEL. 

love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself.  On  these  two  com- 
mandments hang  all  the  law  and  the  prophets." 
Then  Jesus  put  to  them  this  question  ? 

"What  think  ye  of  Christ?  whose  son  is 
he  ?"  And  in  their  answering  Jesus  silenced  them 
so  they  too,  dared  ask  Him  no  more  questions. 

It  did  Bar-elah  lots  of  good  to  see  these  self- 
important,  conceited,  self-righteous  Pharisees  put 
to  silence. 

"Didn't  he  shut  that  old  fellow  up  in  a  hurry 
though,"  he  whispered  to  Eliab,  as  his  handsome 
face  beamed  with  delight. 

Jesus  was  so  fearless  in  his  denunciation  of 
the  scribes  and  Pharisees,  that  all  about  were 
amazed.  Said  He: 

"But  woe  unto  you,  scribes  and  Pharisees, 
hypocrites!  for  ye  shut  up  the  kingdom  of  heaven 
against  men :  for  ye  neither  go  in  yourselves, 
neither  suffer  ye  them  that  are  entering  to  go  in. 
Woe  unto  you,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypocrites ! 
for  ye  devour  widows'  houses,  and  for  a  pretence 
make  long  prayer  :  therefore  ye  shall  receive  the 
greater  damnation. 

"Woe  unto  you,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypo- 
crites !  for  ye.  make  clean  the  outside  of  the  cup 


1M MANUEL.  I0g 

and  of  the  platter,  but  within  they  are  full  of  ex- 
tortion and  excess. 

"Thou  blind  Pharisee,  cleanse  first  that  which 
is  within  the  cup  and  platter,  that  the  outside  of 
them  may  be  clean  also. 

"Woe  unto  you,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypo- 
crites !  for  ye  are  like  unto  whited  sepulchres, 
which  indeed  appear  beautiful  outward,  but  are 
within  full  of  dead  men's  bones,  and  of  all  un- 
cleanness. 

"Even  so  ye  also  outwardly  appear  righteous 
unto  men,  but  within  ye  are  full  of  hypocrisy  and 
iniquity."  And  this  He  said  before  all  the  peo- 
ple. Many  other  woes  were  pronounced  against 
them  because  of  their  iniquities. 

While  He  was  teaching  a  party  of  Greeks 
who  had  come  to  attend  the  passover,  came  to 
Philip  saying : 

"Sir,  we  would  see  Jesus."  Andrew  and  Phil- 
ip went  and  told  Jesus.  While  Jesus  was  talking 
to  them  a  voice  from  heaven  spoke  to  Him.  Some 
of  those  who  heard  it  thought  it  was  thunder 
while  Bar-elah  and  Eliab  and  many  others  thought 
an  angel  spoke  with  Jesus.  It  filled  all  with  won- 
der. 


I05  IM  MANUEL. 

As  Jesus  and  His  disciples  went  forth  from 
the  temple  He  told  them  of  its  destruction,  when, 
as  He  said : 

"There  shall  not  be  left  here  one  stone  upon 
another,  that  shall  not  be  thrown  down." 

He  also  told  of  the  persecution  they,  as  His 
disciples,  should  suffer.  He  spoke  the  parable 
of  the  ten  virgins  to  teach  the  disciples  the  ne- 
cessity of  their  watching  constantly  for  the  com- 
ing of  the  hour  in  which  uthe  Son  of  man,"  (mean- 
ing Himself),  should  return. 

Then  He  spoke  the  parable  of  the  talents  to 
teach  the  duty  of  each  one  using  the  talents,  the 
powers,  the  opportunities  given  by  God. 

Before  leaving  the  Mount  of  Olives,  to  which 
He  and  His  disciples  had  gone  after  leaving  the 
temple,  Jesus  described  to  them  the  last  judgment, 
when,  as  He  said  : 

"The  Son  of  man  shall  come  in  his  glory,  and 
all  the  holy  angels  with  him,  then  shall  he  sit 
upon  the  throne  of  his  glory:  and  before  him  shall 
be  gathered  all  nations:  and  he  shall  separate 
them  one  from  another,  as  a  shepherd  divideth  his 
sheep  from  the  goats:  and  he  shall  set  the  sheep 
on  his  right  hand,  but  the  goats  on  the  left. 


JMMAAUEL.  IIO 

"Then  shall  the  King  say  unto  them  on  his 
right  hand,  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  in- 
herit the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  foun- 
dation of  the  wqrld.  *  *  "Then  shall  he  say 
also  unto  them  on  the  left  hand,  Depart  from  me, 
ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire,  prepared  for  the 
devil  and  his  angels:  *  *  and  these  shall  go 
away  into  everlasting  punishment:  but  the  righ- 
teous into  life  eternal." 

Immediately  after  this  the  chief  priests  and 
scribes  and  elders  gathered  together  in  the  palace 
of  Caiaphas  the  high  priest,  that  they  might  plot 
to  take  Jesus  and  kill  him.  One  of  the  twelve 
whom  Jesus  had  chosen,  one  named  Judas  Iscar- 
iot,  the  one  who  had  acted  as  treasurer  of  the  lit- 
tle band,  one  who  had  seen  the  mighty  works 
which  Jesus  had  done  and  had  attended  upon  His 
ministry,  but  who  loved  money  more  than  the 
Lord,  went  to  these  chief  priests  and  others  and 
said  to  them  : 

"What  will  ye  give  me,  and  I  will  deliver  him 
unto  you  ?" 

"Thirty  pieces  of  silver,"  said  they.  Judas 
agreed. 


CHAPTER     XIII. 

,-x  HE  disciples  of  the  Lord  had  prepared  the 
passover,  and  when  evening  had  come, 
they  sat  down  to  the  passover  meal.  After  sup- 
per Jesus  greatly  astonished  His  disciples  for, 
after  He  had  girded  Himself  with  a  towel,  He  fill- 
ed a  basin  with  water  and  then  washed  the  feet 
of  each  disciple.  How  strange !  What  an  ex- 
ample of  humility  !  The  Son  of  God  taking  upon 
Himself  the  work  of  the  lowliest  servant!  The 
disciples  were  deeply  impressed. 

While  they  sat  at  meat,  the  disciples  were 
greatly  surprised  and  saddened  to  have  Jesus  say 
to  them  : 

"One  of  you  shall  betray  me."  Each  began 
to  ask : 

"Is  it  I  ?"  John,  the  one  whom  Jesus  loved 
so  dearly,  and  who  reclined  on  Jesus'  bosom  at 
the  supper,  asked : 

"Lord,  who  is  it?" 


1MMANUEL.  II2 

"He  it  is,  to  whom  I  shall  give  a  sop,  when  I 
have  dipped  it,"  said  Jesus.  When  the  sop  was 
dipped  it  was  handed  to  Jndas  Iscariot,  and  he  at 
once  went  out. 

Jesus  spent  some  little  time  talking  with  His 
disciples.  He  knew  the  hour  in  which  Judas 
should  betray  Him  and  He  should  be  put  to 
death,  was  drawing  near.  He  had  much  to  say 
to  His  little  band.  He  told  them  what  things 
should  happen  to  them.  He  told  how  Simon 
Peter  should  deny  Him.  He  comforted  them  with 
many  blessed  assurances  and  promises. 

After  He  had  prayed  with  His  disciples,  they 
went  out  to  Gethsemane.  Jesus  took  Peter,  James 
and  John  with  Him,  apart  from  the  others,  and 
bade  them  watch  there  with  Him.  He  went  a 
short  distance  from  these.  They  could  hear  Him 
praying.  He  seemed  to  be  in  very  great  agony. 
His  prayer  was  : 

"  O  my  Father,  if  it  be  possible,  let  this  cup 
pass  from  me:  nevertheless  not  as  I  will,  but  as 
thou  wilt."  The  agony  He  suffered  was  intense. 
So  great  was  it,  because  of  the  burden  of  His 
soul,  that  He  sweat  great  drops  of  blood. 

When  He  returned  to  His  disciples  He  found 
them  asleep.  He  awakened  them  and  said  : 

"Rise  up,  let  us  go;  lo,  he  that  betrayeth  me 
is  at  hand." 


ITo  I M' MANUEL. 

As  they  went  they  were  met  by  Judas  Iscariot, 
who  was  accompanied  by  a  band  of  officers,  and  a 
very  great  multitude  and  into  the  hands  of  these, 
the  traitor  betrayed  the  Christ,  by  a  kiss,  for  he 
had  said  to  them  :  ''Whomsoever  I  shall  kiss, 
that  same  is  he  :  hold  him  fast." 

The  officers  at  once  laid  hands  on  Jesus.  He 
offered  no  resistance  for  He  knew  that  His  hour 
had  come.  Peter,  however,  drew  a  sword  and  cut 
off  the  ear  of  the  high  priest's  servant,  but  Jesus 
rebuked  him  and  touched  the  ear  and  healed  it. 

To  those  who  came  out  against  Him,  He 
said  : 

"Are  ye  come  out,  as  against  a  thief,  with 
swords  and  with  staves  to  take  me  ?  I  was  daily 
with  you  in  the  temple  teaching,  and  ye  took  me 
not." 

They  bound  Him  and  led  Him—  —the  Christ, 
the  Messiah,  the  Lord,  the  Holy  One  of  God- 
led  Him  away a  prisoner. 

He  was  at  once  taken  before  Caiaphas  the 
high  priest,  before  whom  all  the  chief  priests, 
scribes  and  elders  had  gathered.  Peter,  one  of 
the  twelve,  followed  Jesus  at  a  distance  but  would 
not  go  further  than  the  servant's  hall.  There  he 
sat  and  warmed  himself  before  the  fire,  while  his 
Master  was  being  shamefully  maltreated  within. 
While  there  in  the  midst  of  the  servants  of  the 
high  priest,  three  times  Peter  wickedly  denied  all 


1MMANUEL.  II4 

acquaintance  with  Jesus.  He  even  sought  to  af- 
firm his  wicked  denial  with  an  oath.  Just  as  he 
had  uttered  the  third  denial  he  heard  the  cock 
crow.  Peter  was  now  where  he  could  see  Jesus  as 
he  stood  in  the  palace  of  Caiaphas.  Just  as  Peter 
had  uttered  his  third  denial,  Jesus  turned  toward 
him.  The  guilty  disciple  saw  the  look  of  his 
divine  Master  and  that  look  nearly  broke  his  sin- 
ful heart  for  at  once  he  remembered  what  Jesus 
had  said  to  him: — 

"Before  the  cock  crow,  thou  shalt  deny  me 
thrice." 

Peter  was  exceedingly  sorrowful  and  went 
out  and  wept  bitter  tears  of  repentance. 

During  this  time  Jesus  was  being  examined 
by  Caiaphas,  who  questioned  Him  first,  as  to  the 
disciples  He  had  made  and  then  as  to  the  doctrine 
He  had  taught.  The  council  produced  false  wit- 
nesses against  Him,  hoping  by  means  of  these  to 
secure  His  condemnation  and  death.  But  even 
these  did  not  answer  the  purpose  intended. 

One  witness  testified : 

"This  fellow  said,  'I  am  able  to  destroy  the 
temple  of  God,  and  to  build  it  in  three  days.' ' 
When  Jesus  did  not  answer  to  this,  but  kept 
silence,  the  high  priest  arose  and  demanded  that 
He  tell  them  whether  or  not  He  was  the  Christ, 
the  Son  of  God. 

Jesus  answered  :     "Thou  hast  said  :  neverthe- 


jjc  IMMANUEL. 

less  I  say  unto  you,  Hereafter  shall  ye  see  the 
Son  of  man  sitting  on  the  right  hand  of  power, 
and  coming  in  the  clonds  of  heaven." 

This  angered  Caiaphas  and  in  his  wrath  he 
arose,  and  rent  his  clothes,  and  said : 

"He  hath  spoken  blasphemy;  what  further 
need  have  we  of  witnesses  ?  behold,  now  ye  have 
heard  his  blasphemy.  What  think  ye?"  To 
this  the  scribes,  the  elders  and  the  chief  priests 
answered  : 

"He  is  guilty  of  death." 

Then  they  all  began  to  mock  Him  and  to  use 
Him  most  shamefully. 

Oh  !  how  the  hearts  of  Bar-elah  and  Eliab 
would  have  ached  had  they  been  able  just  then  to 
see  this  One  whom  they  had  followed  and  whom 
Eliab  loved  so  !  If  they  could  have  had  one 
glimpse  at  the  face,  to  them  so  full  of  love  and 
beauty,  as  one  after  another  of  the  wicked  council 
smote  Him  in  the  face  with  their  hands,  and  some 
of  them  even  went  so  far  as  to  spit  in  His  face  ! 
Oh,  to  what  depths  of  iniquity  will  man  sink! 

They  bound  Him  and  when  it  was  day,  they 
led  Him  before  Pontius  Pilate  the  Governor  of 
Judaea.  The  Jews  would  not  enter  the  Judg- 
ment Hall,  lest  they  might  become  defiled  and 
not  be  able  to  eat  the  passover.  Surely  was  not 
this  doing  as  Jesus  had  told  the  Pharisees  they 


I  M  MA  A  UEL.  TI5 

did — when  He  said:  "ye  blind  guides,  which 
strain  at  a  gnat  and  swallow  a  camel." 

Pilate  questioned  Jesus  carefully  regarding 
the  matters  charged  against  Him  by  the  Jews, 
and  finding  no  charge  that  could  be  sustained 
against  Him,  he  went  out  to  where  the  Jews 
were  and  said  to  them: 

"I  find  no  fault  in  this  man." 

When  Pilate  found  that  Jesus  was  from  Gal- 
ilee he  at  once  sent  Him  to  Herod,  the  tetrarch 
of  that  province,  who  happened  to  be  in  Jerusalem 
just  then. 

Herod  was  very  glad  to  see  Jesus  for  he  had 
heard  of  the  many  great  and  wonderful  things  He 
had  done,  but  had  never  before  seen  Him.  He 
too  examined  Jesus  but  found  no  fault  in  Him. 
So  after  he  and  his  soldiers  had  mocked  Him, 
he  sent  Him  back  to  Pilate. 

Pilate  called  the  chief  priests,  and  elders  and 
scribes  together  and  said  to  them  :  "Ye  have 
brought  this  man  unto  me,  as  one  that  pervertetli 
the  people;  and,  behold,  I,  having  examined  him 
before  you,  have  found  no  fault  in  this  man  touch- 
ing those  things  whereof  ye  accuse  him  :  No, 
nor  y et  Herod  :  for  I  sent  you  to  him;  and,  lo, 
nothing  worthy  of  death  is  done  unto  him.  I 
will  therefore  chastise  him,  and  release  him." 

For  it  was  customary  at  this  feast  of  the  pass- 


II7  IMMANUEL. 

over,  to  release  unto  the  Jews,  one  prisoner  and 
Pilate  remembered  that  he  held  as  prisoner  one 
Barabbas,  a  desperate  fellow,  and  he  thought  he 
would  give  the  Jews  their  choice  between  Barab- 
bas and  Jesus,  expecting  them  to  choose  Jesus  in 
preference  to  wicked  Barabbas  who  had  given 
them  so  much  trouble,  while  it  was  known  by  all 
that  Jesus  had  done  many  great  things  for  the 
people,  and  Pilate  was  really  anxious  to  release 
Him. 

Pilate  therefore,  went  forth  to  the  Jews  and 
suggested  that  he  release  Jesus  but  to  his  great 
amazement  the  Jews,  incited  by  the  chief  priests, 
demanded  Barabbas,  and  when  Pilate  asked  what 
he  should  do  with  Jesus,  they  all  began  to  cry  ou-t: 

"Let  him  be  crucified." 

Pilate  tried  to  reason  with  them,  but  all  in 
vain  for  the  Jews  only  cried  out  the  louder  : 

"Crucify  him,  crucify  him." 

So  Pilate  released  Barabbas  and  took  Jesus 
and  scourged  Him  and  then  delivered  Him  to 
his  soldiers,  to  be  crucified  and  these  soldiers  took 
Jesus  out  into  the  Praetorium,  or  common  hall, 
and  there  in  the  presence  of  the  whole  band  of 
soldiers  they  shamefully  mocked  Him.  They 
took  off  His  spotless  garment  and  clad  Him  in 
purple.  They  put  a  reed  in  His  hand  to  repre- 
sent a  sceptre.  They  platted  a  crown  of  thorns 


1M  MANUEL. 


and  put  this  on  His  brow.  They  spit  upon  Him, 
They  smote  Him.  They  mockingly  hailed  Him 
as  a  King.  And  all  this  to  the  One  who  had 
lived  a  pure,  holy,  unspotted  life  !  Who  had  come 
into  the  world  to  redeem  it  !  The  One  who  was 
the  long-looked-for  Messiah  of  these  same  Jews  ! 

Pilate  still  felt  anxious  to  release  Jesus  and 
was  stili  in  hopes  that  the  Jews  would  permit  him 
to  do  so  —  so  he  went  forth  to  them  again  and  said: 

"Behold,  I  bring  him  forth  to  you.  that  ye 
may  know  that  I  find  no  fault  in  him." 

Jesus,  clad  in  purple  robes,  now  stained  with 
blood  from  His  lacerated  back,  (because  of  the 
cruel  scourging),  and  His  brow  pierced  by  the 
crown  of  cruel  thorns,  came  out  and  stood  before. 
them,  and  Pilate,  hoping  to  excite  their  sympathy 
said  to  the  Jews  as  he  pointed  to  Jesus  : 

"Behold  the  man!" 

Had  there  been  one  in  that  crowd  who  loved 
Him,  that  one  would  have  seen  in  His  face  a  look 
of  tenderest  compassion.  It  was  the  same  beauti- 
ful face  the  sight  of  which  had  thrilled  so  many. 
There  was  no  look  of  revenge  or  of  hatred.  It  was 
rather,  a  look  of  love  even  for  these  wicked  Jews. 
A  look  that  told  of  a  heart  that  was  almost  broken 
because  of  the  sin  of  men.  But  the  hard-hearted 
chief  priests  and  scribes  and  others  saw  none  of 


jjg  /  M  MA  NU  E  L. 

this.     The   hatred   in    their    wicked     hearts   had 
blinded  them.     They  only  shouted  the  louder: 

"Away    with    him,   away    with    him,    crucify 
him." 


During  all  this  time,  our  two  young  men  had 
been  in  the  home  of  the  uncle.  These  events 
did  not  cover  as  much  time  as  one  might  at  first 
suppose.  The  betrayal  occurred  on  the  evening 
that  ushered  in  the  sixth  day  of  the  week,  and  all 
the  events  referred  to,  occurred  either  during  that 
night  or  during  the  morning  of  the  sixth  day. 

Just  about  the  hour  when  Jesus  was  scourged, 
Bar-elah  had  occasion  to  go  forth  from  the  house, 
on  an  errand  for  Eliab  who  was  busy  helping  his 
uncle.  The  arrest  and  trial  of  Jesus  was  by  this 
time  the  talk  of  the  street.  It  seemed  to  be  in 
everybody\s  mouth.  Little  groups  of  men  were 
gathered  in  the  shops  and  bazaars  and  upon  the 
street  corners,  all  discussing  these  events.  Bar- 
elah  could  hardly  believe  his  ears.  He  was  al- 
most beside  himself.  Could  all  this  be  true  ?  "I 
must  hasten  to  Eliab,"  said  he  to  himself.  Just 
at  that  moment  he  heard  a  scribe  say  to  a  Phari- 
see : 

"They're  going  to  crucify  him." 

"Crucify  Jesus  ?"  asked  Bar— elah  of  one  who 
also  heard  what  the  scribe  said. 


1MMANUEL.  I2Q 

"That's  what  he  said,"  was  the  blunt  res- 
ponse. 

Bar-elah  could  stand  no  more.  His  heart 
was  deeply  touched. 

uOh  what  will  my  Eliab  say !  Jesus  to  be 
crucified!  The  pure,  the  holy  one!"  said  he  to 
himself  as  he  hastened,  yes,  as  he  ran  to  his  friend. 
He  burst  into  the  house.  Eliab  was  alone. 

"Eliab,  Eliab,"  began  Bar-elah  all  excited, 
"they've  arrested  the  Christ,  gave  him  a  hasty 
trial  last  night,  took  him  before  Pilate,  and  he- 
has  delivered  him  to  be  crucified." 

"Oh  Elah  !"  was  all  Eliab  could  say  as  he 
looked  into  the  eyes  of  his  Elah.  "My  Jesus,  my 
Christ !  What  an  outrage  !  Oh  that  men  knew 
Him!" 

"Come  with  me  Eliab,"  said  Bar-elah  as  he 
took  Eliab  by  the  arm  and  the  two  went  forth  into 
the  street. 

"Oh  yes,  Eliab,  I  heard  that  Judas,  the  one 
who  betrayed  Jesus  repented  of  his  sin,  took 
the  thirty  pieces  of  silver  to  the  priests,  confessed 
that  he  had  betrayed  innocent  blood  and  then 
went  out  and  hanged  himself." 

Eliab's  face  brightened  a  little. 

"He  ought  to  hang  himself  the  wicked  scoun- 
drel," said  Eliab. 


CHAPTER     XIV. 

*£< 
oi 

xJ  UST  as  Bar-elah  and  Eliab  came  in  view    of 
^\r    the  Prsetorium,  they  saw  an  immense  crowd 
moving  along  the  street. 

"Can  it  be  Elah,  that  they  are  going  to  carry 
ont  their  wicked  plot  this  soon  ?"  asked  Eliab. 

UI  shouldn't  wonder,"  answered  Bar-elah, 
"they  have  seemed  so  determined  that  he 
should  die." 

The  two  stood  still  a  moment.  From  where 
they  were  they  could  look  down  on  the  multitude 
as  it  came  towards  them. 

"Oh,  Eliab,  there  he  is,  there  he  is  carrying 
a  large  cross,"  said  Bar-elah  grasping  Eliab's 
hand.  "Look." 

And  Eliab  did  look  and  his  eyes  fell  upon 
the  person  of  his  divine  Lord. 

"Oh  Elah  !"  sighed  Eliab.  "But  do  you  not 
suppose  He  will  deliver  Himself  out  of  their 
hands  Elah?" 

And  as  Bar-elah  thought  of  the  times  when 
Jesus  had  escaped  from  them,  his  face  brightened, 
and  he  said  : 


JMMAAUEL.  I22 

"I  hope  so,  Eliab,  I  hope  so." 

People  came  from  every  direction  and  joined 
the  multitude.  Bar-elah  and  Eliab  went  with 
them.  Yes  there  was  Jesus,  in  the  midst  of  the 
throng,  bearing  the  cross  on  which  He  was  to  be 
crucified.  Some  of  the  multitude  were  weeping, 
some  were  shouting,  some  hardly  knew  what  to 
do.  Jesus  had  not  gone  far,  however,  before  the 
soldiers  took  the  cross  from  Him  and  compelled 
one  named  Simon,  to  bear  it. 

The  multitude  reached  the  City  gate.  It  had 
by  this  time  become  very  large.  The  soldiers  led 
Jesus,  and  the  two  malefactors  who  were  taken 
to  be  crucified  with  Him,  to  Golgotha,  which  by 
interpretation  means,  the  place  of  a  skull.  Bar— 
elah  and  Eliab  watched  every  movement.  The 
soldiers  made  Simon  lay  the  cross  upon  the  ground. 
They  stripped  Jesus  of  His  garments.  Then 
they  laid  Him  upon  the  cross.  t 

"Will  He  submit  to  their  cruelty  Elah?" 
asked  Eliab,  almost  terrified  at  the  sight. 

"It  looks  as  though  he  vill  Eliab,"  responded 
Bar-elah. 

The  soldiers  took  great  spikes  and  drove  one 
through  each  hand  and  one  through  each  foot. 
Every  blow  of  the  hammer  as  the  nails  were  driv- 
en through  the  living  flesh  of  the  Christ,  seemed 
to  strike  terror  to  the  heart  of  each  young  man. 


123 


I M M A  NU E  L. 


"O  Elah,  I  can't  stand  this,  it's  such  an  outrage! 
Oh  to  think  they  are  crucifying  my  Master  and 
here  I  am  and  can't  do  anything!"  sobbed  Eliab. 
Bar-elah  was  silent.  He  quietly  drew  Eliab  closer 
to  him. 

The  cross  was  lifted  into  place,  and  as  it  was 
being  lifted  the  two  boys  caught  a  glimpse  of  the 
face  of  Jesus.  Did  it  show  traces  of  anger  and  of 
hatred  ?  Oh,  no.  Never  did  a  face  shine  bright- 
er than  this.  In  every  line,  love  and  compassion 
was  to  be  seen,  mingled  with  the  evidences  of 
great  physcial  suffering. 

Upon  the  cross,  over  the  head  of  Jesus,  Pilate 
caused  this  superscription  to  be  placed : 

"JESUS  OF    NAZARETH    THE    KING    OF 
THE    JEWS." 

This  was  written  in  Hebrew,  in  Latin  and  in 
Greek,  so  that  all  who  passed  by  might  read. 
The  soldiers  parted  His  garments  among  them. 

Bar-elah  and  Eliab  and  the  disciples  im- 
mediately about  them,  made  a  move  towards 
the  cross.  The  same  thought  seemed  to  be  in 
the  minds  of  all — that  of  attempting  to  release 
Jesus.  Very  little  attention  was  paid  to  the  two 
crucified  with  Him  for  these  were  malefactors 
and  were  guilty — but  all  who  knew  the  Christ 
knew  Him  to  be  innocent. 

Just  as  the  boys  came  to  the  cross  Jesus  was 


heard  to  speak.  It  was  hardly  more  than  a  whis- 
per, but  the  boys  heard  it,  and,  oh  of  what  love 
those  words  told!  It  was  a  prayer  for  His  mur- 
derers : 

"Father  forgive  them  for  they  know  not 
what  they  do." 

Bar-elah  looked  at  EHab  and  then  into  the 
face  of  Jesus.  The  thief  on  the  cross  at  His  side 
is  now  heard  to  speak  but  ail  the  boys  heard  was 
the  reply  given  him  by  Jesus : 

"To-day  shalt  thou  be  writh  me  in    Paradise." 

All  this  time  the  soldiers  and  Jews  who  had 
not  believed  on  Him  stood  about  wagging  their 
heads  and  mocking  Him — telling  Him  to  save 
Himself,  to  come  down  from  the  cross,  and  so  on. 

Bar-elah  and  Eliab  for  a  moment  stood  look- 
ing into  the  face  of  Jesus  and  then  Bar-elah,  slip- 
ping his  arm  about  Eliab  said,  as  his  eyes  were 
fixed  on  Jesus  : 

"My  Master  and  my  Redeemer." 

Eliab's  heart  bounded  for  he  knew  his  friend 
had  received  the  Christ  as  his  own  Lord. 

"Eliab,  He  is  the  Christ  of  God,  I  know.  I 
can  see  it  in  His  face.  I  can  hear  it  in  the  words 
He  speaks.  I  know  He  is  the  Lord,"  whispered 
Bar-elah. 

Eliab  was  so  overcome  with  joy  he  could  say 

nothing  more  than "dear  Elah,  my  brother 

disciple." 


12c  IM  MANUEL. 

John  the  beloved  disciple  of  Jesus  stood  with 
Mary  the  mother  of  the  Christ,  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross.  To  Mary  Jesus  said,  referring  to  His  be- 
loved John: 

u  Worn  an,  behold  thy  son  !"  and  to  John  He 
said : 

uBehold  thy  mother!  " 

Suddenly  it  began  to  grow  very  dark  although 
it  was  only  about  the  sixth  hour  of  the  day. 

What  could  it  all  mean  !  Eliab  remembered 
that  Jesus  had  said  of  Himself: 

"I  am  the  light  of  the  world." 

Could  it  be  that  now  as  He  was  dying,  the 
light  was  going  out?  {Surely  it  seemed  so. 

Our  two  young  men  were  so  astonished  they 
did  not  know  what  to  do. 

"If  the  end  of  all  things  is  st  hand  Eliab,  we 
might  as  well  be  right  here  near  our  Jesus,  as  any 
other  place,"  said  Bar-elah.  Eliab  thought  so  too. 

By  the  time  the  sixth  hour  arrived,  the  dark- 
ness was  very  dense.  No  night  had  ever  seemed 
as  dark.  It  continued  until  about  the  ninth  hour. 

"Oh  Elah,  how  the  Christ  must  suffer!"  said 
Eliab.  His  thoughts  were  not  so  much  upon  the 
dense  darkness  and  the  surroundings  as  upon 
Jesus. 

"Eli,  Eli,  lama  sabachthani  !"  It  was  Jesus 
who  spoke.  He  cried  with  a  loud  voice.  Both 


1MMANUEL. 


boys  understood  the  words  perfectly.  They  were 
these  :  "My  God,  My  God,  why  hast  thou  forsak- 
en me?" 

Then  all  was  quiet  until  Jesus  spoke  again. 
He  simply  said: 

"I  thirst,"  and  those  who  stood  near  gave 
Him  a  drink  of  vinegar. 

"He  can't  last  much  longer,  Eliab.  His  suf- 
ferings are  almost  at  an  end."  said  Bar-elan. 

"It  is  finished,"  said  Jesus  softly  and  then,  as 
His  head  fell  upon  His  breast  : 

"Father,  into  thy  hands  I  commend  my 
spirit"-  —and  He  was  dead. 

"Oh  Elah  can  it  be  that  our  Master  is  dead  ? 
Oh  how  cruel"-  —and  Eliab  was  joined  in  his 
weeping  by  stalwart  Bar-elah. 

Suddenly  the  earth  began  to  shake  and  the 
rocks  where  the  boys  stood  were  rent.  The  ter- 
rified people  ran  in  every  direction  --  but  our 
two  young  men  and  a  little  company  of  faithful 
ones  still  lingered  at  the  foot  of  the  cross.  A 
centurion  who  stood  near  was  heard  to  say: 

"Truly    this  man  was  the  Son    of  God." 

Bar-elah  and  Eliab  soon  left  the  scene  of  the 
crucifixion  and  went  to  the  home  of  the  Uncle. 
They  were  sad  at  heart  because  of  the  death  of 
the  One  whom  now,  both  of  them  loved.  As  they 
went  along  the  street  of  the  City  one  after  another 
of  the  rabble  was  heard  to  cast  all  manner  of  slurs 


J2-  IM  MANUEL. 

at  Jesus  and  His  disciples—  —for  now  they  felt 
that  they  had  truly  put  an  end  to  the  humble 
Nazarene. 

Slowly  the  little  company  left  Golgotha.  The 
soldiers  broke  the  legs  of  the  two  malefactors,  but 
finding  that  Jesus  was  dead,  they  passed  Him  by. 
One  of  them,  however,  thrust  his  spear  into  the 
side  of  His  body  and  blood  and.water  flowed  forth. 

The  Sabbath  was  drawing  near.  It  was  the 
great  day  of  the  feast — a  high  day.  Joseph  of 
Arimathsea,  one  of  the  disciples  of  Jesus  got  per- 
mission from  Pilate  to  bury  the  body  of  Jesus,  so 
he  and  Nicodemus,  after  the  body  was  removed 
from  the  cross,  prepared  it  for  burial,  and  laid  it 
in  a  new  sepulchre  in  the  garden  close  to  the 
place  where  He  was  crucified.  A  great  stone  was 
rolled  before  the  door  of  the  tomb. 

The  chief  priests  and  Pharisees  remembered 
that  Jesus  had  said :  "After  three  days  I  will  rise 
again,"  so  they  got  Pilate  to  set  a  guard  over  the 
tomb,  and  put  his  seal  upon  it,  "Lest,"  as  they 
said,  "his  disciples  come  by  night,  and  steal  him 
away,  and  say  unto  the  people,  He  is  risen  from 
the  dead." 

That  Sabbath  day  was  a  quiet  one  for  Bar- 
elah  and  Eliab.  Although  it  was  a  high  day  and 
there  was  great  rejoicing,  the  boys  could  not  help 
but  feel  sad  when  they  remembered  the  cruel, 
ignominious  death  that  their  Master  had  suffered, 


1MMANUEL.  I2g 

and  yet  there  was  a  peace  within*  the  soul  of  each 

that  was  not  disturbed  at  all the  peace  of  God 

given  them   through  faith  in  Jesus  the  Christ. 

uLet  us  go  home  to-morrow   with    the    folks, 
Elah,"  said  Eliab  that  night  after  they  had    retir- 
ed.    uWe  might  as  well,  Eliab,"    said  Bar-elah. 
*  *  -H-  #  * 

A  day  or  two  after  Bar-elah  and  Eliab  had 
returned  to  their  home  town,  they  went  down 
to  the  banks  of  the  Jordan,  and  sat  in  the  same 
spot  where  we  first  saw  them.  Before  long  some 
one  was  heard  approaching.  He  was  chanting  a 
psalm  of  thanksgiving.  The  trees  hid  him  from 
view. 

"It  sounds  like  Eliphaz,"  said  Bar-elah,  "he 
seems  happy.  I  wonder  what  the  latest  news 
from  Jerusalem,  is.  " 

It  was   Eliphaz. 

"Good  news  for  you  my  friends,"  were  the 
first  words  he  spoke  when  he  came  in  sight  of 
them.  "The  Lord  is  risen  from  the  dead  and  has 
appeared  unto  several  of  His  disciples." 

"Oh  Eliphaz,  can  it  be  true?"  said  Bar-elah. 

"Yes,"  continued  Eliphaz  as  he  took  a  seat 
near  the  two  boys,  "and  I  hastened  to  you  to  tell 
you  all  about  it." 

Both  boys  were  eager  to  hear  it  all.  Eliphaz 
continued : 

"It  seems  that  early  on  the  first    day    of  the 


I20  IMMANUEL. 

week,  some  of  the  women  who  believed  on  Jesus 
went  to  the  sepulchre  to  anoint  His  body.  When 
they  got  to  the  tomb  they  found  the  stone 
rolled  away  to  one  side.  When  they  looked  with- 
in the  sepulchre,  the  body  of  Jesns  was  not  there, 
but  they  saw  a  young  man — an  angel — of  most 
beautiful  countenance  and  appearance,  sitting  on 
one  side.  He  told  them  that  Jesus  was  risen  and 
that  He  had  gone  into  Galilee  and  there  they 
might  see  Him. 

"The  women  left  in  great  haste  to  tell  all 
these  things  to  His  disciples,  but  as  they  were  go- 
ing, Jesus  Himself  met  them  and  spoke  to  them. 
He  bade  them  go  and  tell  His  brethren  to  go  into 
Galilee  where  they  would  see  Him.  The  women 
went  as  He  bade  them.  The  disciples  did  not  be- 
lieve them  at  first,  but  Peter  and  John,  two  of  the 
eleven  ran  with  haste  to  the  sepulchre  and  found 
all  things  as  the  women  had  said. 

"Afterwards  Jesus  appeared  unto  Mary  Mag- 
dalene and  to  Peter  and  then  to  two  disciples  as 
they  journeyed  to  Emma  us.  Then  to  the  eleven 
as  they  sat  together  breaking  bread.  The  doors 
were  all  shut  but  suddenly  He  was  seen  in  their 
midst  and  brake  bread  with  them." 

The  countenances  of  both  boys  beamed  with 
delight  at  this  blessed,  this  glorious  news. 

"Oh  Elah,"  said  Eliab,  "how  I  wish  we  all 
might  see  Him  !". 


1MMANUEL. 

So    do  I,  Eliab,"  said  his  friend. 


Several  days  later  Eliab  and  Bar-elah  started 
with  Eliphaz  for  Capernaum.  As  they  went 
through  Galilee  they  overtook  quite  a  company 
of  the  disciples  of  Jesus  who  were  going  to  a  cer- 
tain mountain  where  they  expected  to  meet  Jesus. 
The  three  young  men  joined  the  company.  When 
they  reached  the  mountain,  they  found  nearly 
five  hundred  others.  Suddenly  Jesus  appeared 
unto  them. 

"Rabboni,"  said  both  our  young  men  as  their 
eyes  rested  upon  Him. 

"My  Lord  !  my  risen  Redeemer,"  said  Bar— 
elah.  And  as  they  looked  upon  His  pierced  hands 
and  feet  and  side  and  then  into  His  face,  both 
boys  were  thrilled. 

Bar-elah,  Eliab  and  Eliphaz  the  next  day 
reached  Capernaum.  Some  time  afterwards  the 
three  were  sitting  together  on  the  house-top, 
when  the  grandfather  of  Eliphaz  came  up  to  them. 

"I  have  just  heard,"  said  he,.  "that  Jesus  of 
Nazareth  while  walking  out  to  Bethany  with  his 
disciples,  was  suddenly  lifted  up  and  carried  away 
from  them  and  received  into  heaven." 

"Oh  Eliab."  said  Bar-elah  after  he  and  his 
companion  had  retired  for  the  night,  "my  dear 
friend  Eliab,  I'm  so  glad  that  I  went  with  you 
when  you  undertook  to  follow  Jesus,  and  that  I 


jnj  IMMANUEL. 

too  have  accepted  Him  as  my  Redeemer." 

"And  I'm  glad  too  my  dear  Elah,"  was  the 
response  from  Eliab. 

"To  tell  you  the  truth  Eliab,"  Bar-elah  said, 
"I  felt  drawn  towards  Him  from  the  very  first. 
I  could  see  from  the  first  that  there  was  some- 
thing more  than  human  about  Him.  And  what 
a  wonderfully  beautiful  life  His  was  !  What  an 
evidence  of  divinity  was  given  in  His  death  1 
And  what  glory  shone  from  His  face  as  we  saw 
Him  on  the  mountain!" 

"Yes  Elah,  it  was  all  so  wonderful,  And  to 
think  that  you  and  I  have  known  Him  and  receiv- 
ed Him.  Oh  how  blessed !" 

There  was  in  the  heart  of  each  boy  that 
peace  which  Jesus  had  said  He  would  give  to 
those  who  .were  His  disciples — it  was  "the  peace 
of  God,  which  passeth  all  understanding." 

THE  END. 


YC   15619 


915589 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


